The Tata Institute of Social Sciences has released the TISS CUET PG 2nd Merit List 2026 for admission to postgraduate programmes. Candidates who have been shortlisted in the second merit list must complete the admission process within the prescribed deadlines. TISSNET 2026 refers to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) postgraduate admission process for the 2026–27 academic year. From the 2025–26 cycle onwards, TISS discontinued its standalone TISSNET entrance test and now accepts CUET PG 2026 scores (conducted by NTA) for most MA programmes, and CAT 2025 scores (conducted by IIMs) for three management programmes.
To secure their seat, applicants are required to accept the 2nd Merit List admission offer by July 6, 2026 and pay the first semester fee by July 10, 2026 through the official admission portal.
Source: admissions.tiss.ac.in/
- CUET PG Merit List 2: The second TISS CUET PG merit list is now available. Merit List 2 moves from the waitlist based on available seats after Merit List 1 confirmations closed.
- Seat Confirmation Deadline: The first semester fee must be paid on or before July 10, 2026. Missing this window results in automatic cancellation of the seat offer — the seat moves to the next candidate on the waitlist with no option for reinstatement.
- CAT Track Final Merit List Rounds: For MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, and MHA programmes, the final rounds of merit lists are expected through July 2026. In 2025, TISS released six CAT merit lists over three months before closing admissions.
- Classes Commencement: TISS 2026–27 PG programmes are expected to begin in July–August 2026 across all four campuses — Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, and Hyderabad.
What is TISSNET?
TISSNET stands for Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test. It was a national-level online entrance exam conducted by TISS for admission to postgraduate programmes at its campuses across India. TISS is one of India’s most respected institutions for social science education and research, established in 1936 and recognised as a deemed university under Section 3 of the UGC Act.
The institute offers more than 53 postgraduate programmes across disciplines such as Social Work, Human Resource Management, Development Studies, Public Health, Education, Media Studies, and Hospital Administration. TISS campuses are located in Mumbai (main campus), Tuljapur in Maharashtra, Guwahati in Assam, and Hyderabad in Telangana.
TISSNET was the common entrance gateway to most TISS MA programmes from 2012 to 2024. The exam was held once a year, usually in January or February, as a computer-based test. It had 100 multiple choice questions across three sections — English Proficiency, Mathematical Skills and Logical Reasoning, and General Awareness — with no negative marking and a duration of 100 minutes. More than 30,000 candidates appeared for TISSNET every year to compete for around 875 MA seats at the Mumbai campus alone.
From the 2025–26 admission cycle, TISS replaced TISSNET with two national-level entrance tests: CUET PG (conducted by NTA) for most MA programmes, and CAT (conducted by IIMs) for three management programmes. This page covers the complete TISS 2026 admission process, the historical TISSNET pattern and syllabus, cutoffs, and preparation guidance.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test |
| Conducting Body | Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai |
| Last Conducted | January 2024 (for 2024–25 admissions) |
| Replaced By (from 2025) | CUET PG 2026 (by NTA) and CAT 2025 (by IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Historical Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Historical Duration | 100 minutes |
| Historical Total Questions | 100 MCQs (no negative marking) |
| Campuses | Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, Hyderabad |
| Programmes Offered | 53+ postgraduate programmes |
| Official Website | admissions.tiss.ac.in |
TISSNET 2026 — Exam Discontinued: What Changed
The most significant update for 2026 is that TISS no longer conducts TISSNET as a standalone exam. The last TISSNET was held in January 2024 for the 2024–25 admission cycle. Starting from the 2025–26 cycle, TISS joined the CUET PG (Common University Entrance Test — Postgraduate) system run by NTA, which covers 350+ universities and deemed institutions across India.
If you are applying to TISS for 2026–27 admission, you do not need to take TISSNET. You need either a valid CUET PG 2026 score (for most MA programmes) or a CAT 2025 score (for three management programmes). There is no TISSNET registration or exam for 2026.
TISS made this change as part of a broader UGC initiative for standardised PG admissions across central universities and deemed institutions. CUET PG allows candidates to apply to multiple universities with a single score and registration. For TISS, this opened the pool to a larger number of applicants since candidates no longer needed a separate TISSNET registration fee or TISS-specific test preparation.
Two Admission Tracks for TISS 2026
| Track | Entrance Exam | Programmes Covered | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET PG Track | CUET PG 2026 (NTA) | MA Social Work (all specialisations), MA Development Studies, MA Education, MA Public Health, MA Media and Cultural Studies, MA Social Entrepreneurship, and more | 100% merit-based on CUET PG score — no interview |
| CAT Track | CAT 2025 (IIMs) | MA HRM & Labour Relations (HRM&LR), MA Organisation Development Change & Leadership (ODCL), Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | CAT score + Online Assessment (OA) + Personal Interview (PI) |
Source: TISS Admissions Portal 2026
Both tracks require a separate registration on the TISS portal (admissions.tiss.ac.in) after the respective entrance exam result. Simply scoring well in CUET PG or CAT does not place you in the TISS merit list automatically — you must also complete TISS portal registration within the announced window.
TISS 2026 Important Dates — Admission Calendar
The TISS 2026–27 admission cycle runs across two tracks with separate timelines. The CUET PG track is currently in the merit list phase. The CAT track has been in progress since April 2026 with final rounds expected through July. The table below shows upcoming events first, followed by past milestones in chronological order.
| Event | Track | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET PG Merit List 2 | CUET PG | July 3, 2026 | (Out) |
| Seat Confirmation Fee — After Merit List 2 | CUET PG | July 10, 2026 | (Ongoing) |
| CUET PG Merit List 3 and Further Rounds | CUET PG | July 2026 | Upcoming |
| CAT Track — Final Merit List Round | CAT | End of July 2026 | Upcoming |
| Classes Commencement (All Programmes) | Both Tracks | July–August 2026 | Upcoming |
| TISS Application Opens — CAT Track | CAT | November 3, 2025 | (Over) |
| CAT 2025 Exam | CAT | November 2025 | (Over) |
| TISS Application Deadline — CAT Track | CAT | December 10, 2025 | (Over) |
| TISS Application Opens — CUET PG Track | CUET PG | December 14, 2025 | (Over) |
| TISS Application Deadline — CUET PG Track | CUET PG | January 23, 2026 | (Over) |
| CUET PG 2026 Exam (NTA) | CUET PG | March 6–27, 2026 | (Over) |
| CAT Track Merit List 1 | CAT | April 20, 2026 | (Over) |
| CUET PG 2026 Result (by NTA) | CUET PG | April 24, 2026 | (Over) |
| CAT Track Merit List 2 and Merit List 3 | CAT | May 5 and May 12, 2026 | (Over) |
| TISS CUET PG Portal Registration Window | CUET PG | May 22 – June 16, 2026 | (Over) |
| CAT Track Merit List 6 | CAT | By June 30, 2026 | (Over) |
| CUET PG Merit List 1 | CUET PG | June 24, 2026 | (Over) |
Source: admissions.tiss.ac.in
TISS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for TISS 2026 admission are common across most programmes for both the CUET PG and CAT tracks. You must meet both the qualification and minimum marks requirements to be included in the merit list.
General Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration from a UGC-recognised university. For some advanced programmes, a Master’s degree may also be required.
- Minimum Marks — General, EWS, OBC-NCL: 50% aggregate in the qualifying degree
- Minimum Marks — SC, ST, PwD: 45% aggregate in the qualifying degree
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for TISS PG admission
- Final Year Students: Students in the final year of their qualifying degree can apply provisionally. Admission is conditional on meeting the marks requirement — the deadline for submitting final results is September 30, 2026. Offers are cancelled if the requirement is not met.
Programme-Specific Eligibility (Select Programmes)
| Programme | Minimum Qualification | Track |
|---|---|---|
| MA Social Work (all specialisations) | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CUET PG |
| MA Development Studies | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CUET PG |
| MA Education | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CUET PG |
| MA Public Health | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CUET PG |
| MA Media and Cultural Studies | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CUET PG |
| MA HRM & Labour Relations | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CAT (work experience preferred) |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | Any UG degree; 50% aggregate (45% reserved categories) | CAT (healthcare background preferred) |
Final-year candidates must submit their original marksheet at the time of joining to prove they meet the minimum percentage requirement. Conditional admission is cancelled if the qualifying marks are not achieved — even after fee payment and seat confirmation.
CUET PG 2026 Exam Pattern for TISS Admission
Since TISSNET is discontinued, TISS 2026 MA programme admissions are based on CUET PG 2026 scores. CUET PG is conducted by NTA as a computer-based test. If you are planning for TISS 2027 admission, aligning your preparation with CUET PG is essential.
CUET PG 2026 Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 75 MCQs |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Correct Answer | +4 marks |
| Wrong Answer | −1 mark (negative marking applies) |
| Unattempted Questions | No marks deducted |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options |
| Language | English (for most social science papers) |
CUET PG Test Papers for TISS Programmes
CUET PG has subject-specific test papers. TISS specifies which test paper is required for each programme in the official admission brochure. For Social Work and related MA programmes, TISS typically requires papers aligned to Social Work or Social Sciences subjects.
- Check the TISS admission brochure for the exact CUET PG test paper code required for your target programme before registering for the exam
- If the exam is held across multiple slots, NTA uses score normalisation; the final merit is based on the normalised score, not raw marks
- For most CUET PG-track TISS programmes, there is no group discussion or personal interview — admission is 100% merit-based
CUET PG has negative marking (−1 per wrong answer), unlike the historical TISSNET which had zero negative marking. If you are used to TISSNET’s attempt-everything strategy, you must change your approach for CUET PG — do not guess on uncertain questions.
CUET PG 2026 vs Historical TISSNET — Quick Comparison
| Feature | CUET PG 2026 (Current) | TISSNET (Last: January 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NTA | TISS |
| Total Questions | 75 | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | 100 |
| Duration | 105 minutes | 100 minutes |
| Negative Marking | Yes (−1 per wrong answer) | No |
| Interview Required | No (for most programmes) | Yes (Writing Ability Test + PI in earlier years) |
| Frequency | Once a year (March) | Once a year (January) |
CAT 2025 for TISS Management Programmes
Three TISS programmes use CAT 2025 scores for admission: MA Human Resource Management and Labour Relations (HRM&LR), MA Organisation Development Change and Leadership (ODCL), and Master of Hospital Administration (MHA). These are among the most competitive programmes TISS offers.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD candidates) |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| MCQ Correct Answer | +3 marks |
| MCQ Wrong Answer | −1 mark (TITA questions carry no penalty) |
Minimum CAT Percentile for TISS Shortlisting
| Programme | Category | Minimum Overall Percentile | Sectional Percentile (VARC / DILR / QA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA HRM&LR / MA ODCL | General / EWS | 70th | 60 / 60 / 60 |
| NC-OBC | 63rd | 54 / 54 / 54 | |
| SC / ST | 53rd | 45 / 45 / 45 | |
| MHA (Hospital Administration) | General / EWS | 60th | 60 / 55 / 55 |
| NC-OBC | 54th | 50 / 50 / 50 | |
| SC / ST | 45th | 41 / 41 / 41 |
These are minimum shortlisting cutoffs — not selection cutoffs. Due to high competition, the actual percentile at which General category seats fill in MA HRM&LR is typically 95th percentile or higher. Meeting the minimum cutoff only qualifies you for the next stage.
CAT Track Selection Stages
- Clear CAT 2025 with the minimum percentile for your category and programme
- Apply on the TISS portal for your chosen management programme
- Appear for TISS-PAT (Online Assessment / Programme Aptitude Test)
- Appear for Online Personal Interview (OPI)
- Final merit list: CAT score contributes 70–80%, OA and PI together contribute 20–30% depending on the programme
TISSNET Syllabus — Section-wise Topics
Even though TISSNET is discontinued, the syllabus remains a useful reference. Topics in TISSNET’s English Proficiency and General Awareness sections overlap significantly with CUET PG social science papers. Students preparing for TISS 2027 admission through CUET PG often use the TISSNET syllabus as a starting framework for general preparation.
TISSNET Exam Structure (Historical)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematical Skills and Logical Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Section 1: English Proficiency (30 Questions)
- Reading Comprehension: Unseen passages testing inference, vocabulary in context, and the author’s tone and purpose
- Grammar: Error spotting, sentence correction, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitutions, word usage in context
- Verbal Ability: Para jumbles, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, and cloze test
Section 2: Mathematical Skills and Logical Reasoning (30 Questions)
- Arithmetic: Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Simple and Compound Interest, Averages, Mixtures and Alligation
- Time, Speed, and Work: Distance-Speed-Time problems, Pipes and Cisterns, Work and Wages
- Data Interpretation: Pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs, case-lets, and combination graphs — typically 2 sets of 4–5 questions each
- Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms, blood relations, seating arrangement, coding-decoding, series completion, direction sense
- Basic Geometry: Areas and volumes, properties of triangles and circles at Class 10 level
Section 3: General Awareness (40 Questions — Highest Weightage)
- Current Affairs: National and international events from the last 6–12 months — politics, sports, science and technology, awards, and appointments
- History and Geography: Indian history (especially the freedom struggle and social reform movements), Indian and World Geography basics
- Economics: GDP, inflation, budget highlights, government schemes, and basic banking and finance concepts
- Social Issues: Gender, caste, poverty, tribal rights, child rights, and labour rights — particularly important given TISS’s social work focus
- Environment and Ecology: Climate change, biodiversity, key environmental agreements, and national environmental laws
- Science and Technology: Recent space missions, scientific discoveries, and major technology developments
The General Awareness section carried the highest weightage in TISSNET at 40 marks. Social issues, government schemes, and current affairs were the most important sub-topics. This emphasis reflects TISS’s core social sciences and human rights focus — and it remains relevant for CUET PG social science papers and for the OPI in CAT track programmes.
TISS 2026 Application Process and Fees
The TISS 2026 application process has two separate stages: entrance exam registration (NTA portal for CUET PG, or IIM portal for CAT) and TISS portal registration (admissions.tiss.ac.in). Both steps are mandatory. A strong CUET PG or CAT score alone does not place you in the TISS merit list — you must also complete TISS portal registration within the announced window.
CUET PG Track — Step-by-Step Process
- Register for CUET PG at NTA portal: Select the relevant test paper codes for your target TISS programmes. CUET PG 2026 registration was open December 14, 2025 to January 23, 2026.
- Appear for CUET PG 2026: The exam was held March 6–27, 2026 in CBT mode. Results were declared April 24, 2026.
- Register on TISS Portal: TISS opened a registration window (May 22 to June 16, 2026) for candidates with valid CUET PG scores. Candidates log in to admissions.tiss.ac.in, enter their CUET PG roll number and credentials, and select up to four programme and campus preferences in order of priority.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, marksheets, degree certificate, and category certificate (if applicable).
- Pay TISS Application Fee: Pay the TISS portal registration fee online. Keep the payment confirmation for reference.
- Await Merit List: Check the portal for the merit list, released in rounds from June 24, 2026 onwards.
CAT Track — Step-by-Step Process
- Register for CAT: CAT registrations open August–September annually. CAT 2025 was held in November 2025.
- Apply on TISS Portal: The TISS CAT track application window was open November 3 to December 10, 2025.
- TISS-PAT and OPI: Shortlisted candidates appeared for the Online Assessment and Personal Interview in early 2026.
- Merit Lists: CAT track Merit List 1 was released April 20, 2026. Subsequent lists followed through June–July 2026.
TISS 2026 Application Fees
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| TISS Portal — First Programme Choice | INR 1,750 + bank charges |
| TISS Portal — Each Additional Programme Choice | INR 900 per additional programme |
| CUET PG Registration (NTA) — General Category | Approximately INR 1,000 |
| CUET PG Registration (NTA) — Reserved Categories | Approximately INR 800 |
Application fees on both the NTA portal and the TISS portal are non-refundable. You must pay both — the NTA fee covers the entrance exam, and the TISS fee is for consideration in the merit list. Paying only the NTA fee does not register you with TISS.
TISS 2026 Result and Merit Lists
The TISS 2026 result is not a single announcement — it is released as a series of programme-wise and category-wise merit lists. For the CUET PG track, Merit List 1 was released on June 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Further merit lists are expected through July 2026 until all seats are filled. For the CAT track, merit lists started from April 20, 2026 and ran through six rounds by June 30.
TISS CUET PG Merit List 2026 — Key Facts
- Merit List 1 was released on June 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM on admissions.tiss.ac.in
- The merit list shows programme-wise and campus-wise rankings based on normalised CUET PG scores
- Separate category-wise lists are released for General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD candidates
- Merit List 2 is expected in early July 2026; TISS typically releases 3–4 merit list rounds for CUET PG programmes
- Candidates on the waitlist are automatically considered for the next merit list — no separate action is needed from the candidate
TISS CAT Track Merit Lists 2026
- Merit List 1 was released on April 20, 2026; Merit List 2 on May 5; Merit List 3 on May 12
- Merit List 6 was released by June 30, 2026
- Final CAT track merit list rounds are expected through July 2026
- Each round gives selected candidates a 3–5 day window to confirm the seat by paying the fee
How to Check the TISS Merit List
- Go to admissions.tiss.ac.in
- Log in with your application number and registered password
- Navigate to the merit list section for your track (CUET PG or CAT)
- Check whether your name and programme allocation appear in the current list
- If selected, note the fee payment deadline shown on your dashboard — act within 3–5 days
If you are selected in a merit list but do not pay the confirmation fee within the deadline, your seat is automatically released to the next candidate on the waitlist. You will not be considered in any subsequent merit list. Do not wait — pay immediately on selection.
TISSNET / TISS 2026 Cutoff
TISS 2026 cutoffs come in two forms: the historical TISSNET score-based cutoffs from 2024 and earlier, and the new CUET PG score cutoffs plus CAT percentile cutoffs from the 2025 and 2026 cycles. The 2026 CUET PG process is ongoing, so official cutoffs will be available only after all merit list rounds close.
TISSNET Cutoff 2024 — Last TISSNET Cycle
These scores reflect the minimum qualifying cutoff in the last year TISSNET was conducted. They give a sense of how competitive admission to TISS has been historically.
| Category | TISSNET Cutoff Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 71.31 |
| EWS | 64.15 |
| OBC-NCL | 64.18 |
| SC | 64.09 |
| ST | 55.54 |
CUET PG 2026 Expected Score Range for TISS Admission
CUET PG has a maximum of 300 marks (+4 per correct answer for 75 questions). Based on the 2025 cycle trends, expected TISS admission score ranges are:
| Programme | Expected CUET PG Score Range (out of 300) |
|---|---|
| MA Social Work (Mental Health) | 200–230 |
| MA Social Work (Community Organisation and Development Practice) | 195–225 |
| MA Social Entrepreneurship | 195–220 |
| MA Social Work (Criminology and Justice) | 190–220 |
| MA Social Work (Children and Families) | 185–215 |
| MA Development Studies | 195–225 |
| MA Education | 185–210 |
| MA Public Health | 185–215 |
These expected ranges are indicative and based on 2025 cycle trends and the difficulty profile of CUET PG 2026. Official cutoffs will be published after the full admission process concludes. The actual cutoff depends on the number of applicants who registered on the TISS portal, seat availability per category, and score distribution in CUET PG 2026.
CAT 2025 Cutoff for TISS Management Programmes
| Programme | Category | Minimum Shortlisting Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| MA HRM&LR / MA ODCL | General / EWS | 70th percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 63rd percentile | |
| SC / ST | 53rd percentile | |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | General / EWS | 60th percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 54th percentile | |
| SC / ST | 45th percentile |
Factors That Affect TISS Cutoff
- Total candidates who registered on the TISS portal after CUET PG results — a larger pool pushes the effective cutoff up
- Difficulty level of CUET PG 2026 — a harder paper leads to lower raw scores, which lowers the cutoff
- Number of seats available per programme per category
- Seat fill rate in Merit List 1 — if many seats fill in the first round, the cutoff in later rounds is lower for remaining programmes
TISS 2026 Counselling and Seat Confirmation
TISS manages its own admission directly through the admissions portal. Unlike many national entrance exams that have centralised counselling events, TISS does not hold a separate counselling day. For the CUET PG track, admission is purely merit-list based with no separate interview. For the CAT track, the interview stage happened before the merit list.
CUET PG Track — Merit List-Based Admission (No Separate Counselling)
- Merit List Release: TISS publishes a programme-wise and category-wise merit list on admissions.tiss.ac.in. Each candidate is assigned a programme based on their CUET PG score and preference list submitted during TISS portal registration.
- Fee Payment Window: Selected candidates get 3–5 days to pay the admission confirmation fee online. The fee varies by programme and is published on the portal.
- Document Upload: After fee payment, candidates must upload self-attested scanned copies of required documents — marksheets, degree certificate, photograph, category certificate, income certificate (for fee waiver), and PwD certificate if applicable.
- Subsequent Merit Lists: If a candidate does not pay in time, or if their preferred programme is still full, they may receive a seat in the next merit list round from the waitlist. TISS typically releases 3–4 rounds for CUET PG programmes.
- Document Verification at Joining: Verification of all original documents happens at the time of joining or during the induction week.
CAT Track — Interview-Based Selection
- Initial Shortlisting: Based on CAT 2025 percentile against minimum cutoffs
- TISS-PAT or Extempore Reflection Test (ERT for MHA): Online programme aptitude test for shortlisted candidates
- Online Personal Interview (OPI): 20–30 minute panel interview testing social awareness, domain knowledge, and fit
- Final Score: 70% CAT + 30% OPI (HRM&LR and ODCL); 80% CAT + 10% ERT + 10% OPI (MHA)
- Merit Lists and Seat Confirmation: Multiple merit list rounds; selected candidates confirm seats by paying the fee within the deadline
Waitlist Movement and Subsequent Rounds
- Candidates on the waitlist after Merit List 1 are automatically moved to subsequent rounds — no separate action is needed
- If your first-choice programme is full in Merit List 1, TISS may offer your second- or third-choice programme in Merit List 2
- The waitlist closes after the final merit list round — candidates still unselected at that point are not admitted
- You can hold only one confirmed seat at TISS; if offered a better programme in a later round, you can switch by cancelling the previous confirmation (subject to the TISS refund policy)
TISS Programmes and Campuses
TISS offers one of the widest ranges of postgraduate social science programmes in India. More than 53 two-year MA and MSc programmes are spread across four campuses. Not all programmes are available at every campus — you must check campus availability when filling the TISS portal preference list.
TISS Campuses — Overview
| Campus | Location | Key Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| TISS Mumbai (Main Campus) | Deonar, Mumbai, Maharashtra | MA Social Work (all specialisations), MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, MHA, MA Development Studies, MA Education, MA Media and Cultural Studies, MA Public Health, MA Social Entrepreneurship, MA Women’s Studies, MA Climate Change and Sustainability |
| TISS Tuljapur | Tuljapur, Dharashiv, Maharashtra | MA Social Work (Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship; Rural Development and Governance) |
| TISS Guwahati | Guwahati, Assam | MA Social Work (Children and Families; Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action) |
| TISS Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | MA Social Work (Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action; Public Health) |
CUET PG Track Programmes at TISS Mumbai
| Programme | Duration | Approximate Seats |
|---|---|---|
| MA Social Work (Children and Families) | 2 years | 40 |
| MA Social Work (Criminology and Justice) | 2 years | 30 |
| MA Social Work (Community Organisation and Development Practice) | 2 years | 40 |
| MA Social Work (Mental Health) | 2 years | 30 |
| MA Social Work (Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action) | 2 years | 30 |
| MA Development Studies | 2 years | 35 |
| MA Education (Curriculum and Teaching) | 2 years | 20 |
| MA Media and Cultural Studies | 2 years | 25 |
| MA Social Entrepreneurship | 2 years | 25 |
| MA Public Health | 2 years | 30 |
| MA Women’s Studies | 2 years | 25 |
CAT Track Management Programmes
| Programme | Duration | Approximate Seats |
|---|---|---|
| MA Human Resource Management and Labour Relations (HRM&LR) | 2 years | 60 |
| MA Organisation Development Change and Leadership (ODCL) | 2 years | 30 |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | 2 years | 30 |
TISS HRM&LR is widely regarded as one of the top HR management programmes in India, comparable to MBA HR from leading B-schools. The programme’s social science foundation, combined with rigorous management training, makes graduates sought after in industry and development sector roles. Admission through CAT makes it highly competitive.
Preparation Tips for TISS Admission
If you are planning to apply to TISS for the 2027–28 cycle, preparation should start early and align with the correct entrance exam for your target programme. The approach differs significantly between the CUET PG track and the CAT track.
For CUET PG Aspirants (TISS 2027)
- Start at Least Six Months Early: CUET PG covers a broad syllabus. Start by September for a March exam. Early starters have time for both concept building and revision.
- Identify Your Test Paper First: CUET PG has subject-specific papers. Find out which paper code TISS requires for your target programme before building your study plan. Each paper has a distinct syllabus.
- English Proficiency: Read quality newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express). Work on grammar through standard books. RC passages from competitive exams are useful practice.
- General Awareness: Maintain a monthly current affairs diary. Focus on social issues, government schemes, environment, and Indian polity — these are high-weightage areas for social science papers and highly relevant to TISS programmes.
- Mathematics and Reasoning: Revise Class 9–10 NCERT maths. Focus on percentages, profit and loss, ratio, averages, and basic data interpretation. These topics appeared most frequently in old TISSNET papers and remain relevant for aptitude components of CUET PG.
- Account for Negative Marking: CUET PG deducts 1 mark per wrong answer. Attempt only questions where you can confidently eliminate at least two options. Do not use the TISSNET strategy of attempting all questions.
- Take Full Mock Tests: Attempt at least 20–25 full-length CUET PG mock tests in timed conditions before the exam. NTA publishes official practice papers — always use those as your primary reference.
For CAT Aspirants (TISS Management Programmes)
- Target All Three Sections Equally: TISS has a sectional cutoff of 60 percentile for General category in each CAT section. You cannot qualify by excelling in just one or two sections.
- VARC Daily Practice: Read editorial and opinion articles daily. Solve at least 3–4 Reading Comprehension passages per day with a strict time limit.
- DILR Consistency: Attempt timed DILR sets every day. Accuracy matters more than speed — one wrong set can cost you significant marks.
- OPI Preparation: TISS OPI probes social awareness, HR domain knowledge, and alignment with TISS values. Read about labour laws, HR trends, social sector issues, and be ready to discuss why you chose TISS over a conventional MBA programme.
- Target 80th+ Percentile Overall: The minimum CAT cutoff for General category is 70th percentile, but the actual competition in MA HRM&LR fills seats at 95th percentile or higher. Aim well above the minimum.
Recommended Study Resources
- Official CUET PG information bulletin (NTA portal)
- TISS PG Admission Brochure 2026–27 (admissions.tiss.ac.in) for programme-specific details
- NCERT textbooks Class 10–12 for General Awareness and English foundation
- Previous year TISSNET question papers (widely available online) for topic benchmarking
- Standard Social Work textbooks for the CUET PG Social Work paper
- The Hindu and Indian Express — daily reading for current affairs and social issues
FAQs on TISSNET 2026
Ques. Is TISSNET 2026 conducted?
Ans. No. TISSNET as a standalone exam was discontinued after January 2024. For 2026–27 TISS admissions, the institute uses CUET PG 2026 (for most MA programmes) and CAT 2025 (for three management programmes — MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, and MHA). There is no TISSNET exam or registration for 2026.
Ques. What replaced TISSNET from 2025 onwards?
Ans. TISS replaced TISSNET with two national-level tests. CUET PG (conducted by NTA) is required for most MA and MSW programmes including all MA Social Work specialisations, MA Development Studies, MA Education, MA Public Health, and others. CAT (conducted by IIMs) is required for MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, and MHA. TISS joined the CUET PG system as part of UGC’s move to standardise PG admissions across universities.
Ques. What is the TISSNET 2026 result date?
Ans. Since TISSNET was not conducted in 2026, there is no TISSNET result. The TISS 2026 admission result is released as merit lists. For the CUET PG track, Merit List 1 was released on June 24, 2026. Merit List 2 is expected in early July 2026. For the CAT track, merit lists were released in rounds from April 20, 2026, with the sixth round completing by June 30, 2026. Final CAT track rounds are expected by end of July 2026.
Ques. What is the TISS 2026 cutoff for MA Social Work?
Ans. MA Social Work admissions at TISS are now based on CUET PG scores. The expected score range for General category admission to MA Social Work programmes at TISS Mumbai is 185–230 out of 300, depending on the specialisation. These are indicative estimates based on 2025 cycle trends. Official 2026 cutoffs will be published after all merit list rounds close. The historical TISSNET cutoff (last year, 2024) for General category was 71.31 out of 100.
Ques. What was the TISSNET exam pattern?
Ans. TISSNET (last conducted January 2024) had 100 MCQ questions over 100 minutes with no negative marking. The three sections were English Proficiency (30 questions, 30 marks), Mathematical Skills and Logical Reasoning (30 questions, 30 marks), and General Awareness (40 questions, 40 marks). In contrast, CUET PG 2026 — which now determines TISS admission — has 75 questions for 300 marks over 105 minutes, with negative marking of −1 per wrong answer.
Ques. What is the eligibility for TISS 2026 admission?
Ans. You need a minimum three-year UG degree from a UGC-recognised university with at least 50% aggregate marks for General, EWS, and OBC-NCL candidates. SC, ST, and PwD candidates need 45% aggregate. There is no upper age limit. Final year UG students can apply provisionally but must meet the marks requirement before joining (deadline: September 30, 2026).
Ques. How many campuses does TISS have and which programmes are at each?
Ans. TISS has four campuses. The main campus in Mumbai offers the widest range — MA Social Work (all specialisations), MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, MHA, MA Development Studies, MA Education, MA Media and Cultural Studies, MA Public Health, MA Social Entrepreneurship, and more. Tuljapur offers MA Social Work in livelihoods and rural development. Guwahati offers MA Social Work in children and families, and Dalit and tribal studies. Hyderabad offers MA Social Work in Dalit and tribal studies and public health.
Ques. Is there an interview for TISS CUET PG programmes?
Ans. No. For CUET PG track programmes — which cover all MA Social Work specialisations and most other MA programmes — admission is 100% based on CUET PG score. There is no group discussion, written ability test, or personal interview. The interview process (TISS-PAT and Online Personal Interview) applies only to the three CAT track management programmes: MA HRM&LR, MA ODCL, and MHA.
Ques. What is the TISS CUET PG Merit List status for 2026?
Ans. TISS CUET PG Merit List 1 for 2026 was released on June 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM on admissions.tiss.ac.in. Merit List 2 is expected in early July 2026. TISS typically releases 3–4 merit list rounds for CUET PG track programmes before closing admissions. Candidates on the waitlist after Merit List 1 are automatically considered for subsequent rounds without any separate action.
Ques. Can I apply to TISS without CUET PG or CAT?
Ans. No. From 2025 onwards, a valid CUET PG 2026 score or CAT 2025 score is mandatory for TISS admission. TISS no longer accepts TISSNET scores from previous years or any other exam score. Without appearing in CUET PG 2026 (for most programmes) or CAT 2025 (for management programmes), you cannot apply for TISS 2026–27 admission.
Ques. How competitive is TISS MA HRM&LR admission?
Ans. MA HRM&LR at TISS Mumbai is one of the most competitive programmes in the institute. The minimum CAT shortlisting cutoff for General category is 70th percentile, but actual admission typically requires 90th percentile or higher given the volume of high-scoring CAT candidates applying for around 60 seats. After CAT shortlisting, candidates also appear for an Online Personal Interview (OPI), which contributes 30% to the final selection score. The programme is considered comparable to MBA HR from leading B-schools in industry recognition.
Ques. What is the TISSNET application fee for 2026?
Ans. Since TISSNET does not exist in 2026, there is no TISSNET application fee. For TISS 2026 admission, you pay two separate fees: the NTA CUET PG registration fee (approximately INR 1,000 for General category, INR 800 for reserved categories) at the time of CUET PG registration, and the TISS portal registration fee of INR 1,750 for the first programme choice and INR 900 per additional programme choice. Both fees are non-refundable.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from official TISS notifications and publicly available data as of the date of publication. TISS may update its admission process, dates, programme structure, or cutoffs without prior notice. Always verify the latest information directly at admissions.tiss.ac.in before making any admission-related decisions. Collegedunia is not affiliated with TISS and does not represent the institute in any official capacity.
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TISSNET 2024 has been cancelled by the Tata Institute of Social Science for session 2024-27. Admission to postgraduate courses to TISS campuses will be done on the basis of CUET PG and CAT scorecard. Candidates can apply for CUET PG 2024 through the official website. Check here for more. TISSNET 2024
TISSNET Question previous year question papers are available. You can visit TISSNET 2023 Question Paper to access them easily.
To get access to the previous year MISSNET question papers checkout our site TISSNET Question Papers
Miranda House, University of Delhi offers MA programs in various academic disciplines but does not offer MA in Sociology. The available MA programs include English, Hindi, Economics, Philosophy, History, Sanskrit, Bengali and Music. Admission to MA programs is now offered based on the merit of CUET PG.
TISSNET 2023 has been scheduled to be conducted on February 25, 2023 from 2.00 pm to 3.40 pm. The examination will be coducted at over 100 exam centers. The last date to register for TISSNET 2023 was February 01, 2023.
I want sample papers of tissnet
You can download sample or practice papers of TISSNET exam from TISSNET Practice Papers. Solving these papers will help you understand your level and chances of cracking the exam.
In the TISSNET General Awareness section 40 questions will be asked. You can check the steps and tips to prepare for this section from TISSNET GA Preparation. If you have good knowledge in GK, you will be able to score well in this section.
The TISSNET application form fee is INR 1030 which includes INR 1,000 for the exam fee and INR 30 for bank charges. INR 1,000 increases with the INR 30 bank charges for one more program.