TISS clarifies fee adjustment for PG waitlisted candidates after student criticism

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has clarified that the fees already paid by the waitlisted candidates for PG admission 2025 will be adjusted, subject to withdrawal of previously allotted seats. The clarification comes after aspirants and Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF) criticised the administration for asking such candidates to pay the semester 1 fees again.

On Monday, the PSF, a student group active at TISS Mumbai, condemned the “unjust” selection process, noting that several students who were allotted a seat and waitlisted for another were asked to pay the fees by July 16 to remain eligible for PG admission.

The official circular was published despite the administration earlier assuring such candidates that the fees would be adjusted if they got selected for the course in which they are waitlisted.

“The fees already paid will be adjusted, subject to your confirmation of withdrawal from the previously allotted program by clicking on the "Request for Cancellation" as mentioned on the Samarth portal. Kindly confirm your willingness to withdraw from the earlier program so that the fee adjustment can be processed accordingly,” the official email sent by TISS read.

PSF, which called the admission process “exploitative and exclusionary”, said: “After relentless pressure from students and aspirants, TISS admin has finally clarified the fee adjustment process. PSF thanks everyone who joined the campaign.”

Students who are featured in the waitlist 1 and not allotted seats in any other course, will still have to pay the semester 1 fee of Rs 38,000 by July 16. Those who had already paid the fees are exempted from making the payment.