TISS Mumbai Redefines Campus Governance with Major Structural Changes
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of its student governance framework, fundamentally reshaping campus politics as the institute prepares for student body elections on February 6. The administration has introduced sweeping changes that replace the traditional Students' Union with a Students' Council, implement a mandatory non-political affiliation undertaking for candidates, and eliminate student representation from crucial decision-making bodies.
From Union to Council: A Complete Structural Transformation
Student body elections have returned to TISS's Mumbai campus after a year-long hiatus, during which the administration thoroughly revised the governing documents. The most significant change involves replacing the Students' Union Constitution with a Students' Council Constitution, effectively dismantling the original student union model that had been in place for years.
Previously, students elected a seven-member executive body with clearly defined positions including president, vice-president, and general secretary. Under the new framework, this executive structure has been completely eliminated. Instead, a Students' Council will be formed comprising one representative from each class across every academic program offered at the Mumbai campus.
This structural shift has raised substantial concerns among student groups who argue that the absence of an elected executive body will significantly dilute student representative power, particularly regarding participation in important administrative committees that shape campus policies and decisions.
Removal from Key Administrative Bodies
Another major change involves the complete abolition of elected student body representation on key institutional committees including the Academic Council, Disciplinary Committee, and General Complaints Committee. Students have expressed serious concerns that this move substantially reduces their role in institutional decision-making processes.
The Academic Council serves as the highest decision-making body on all important academic matters within higher education institutions. The Disciplinary Committee handles proceedings related to disciplinary actions against students, among other critical matters. Previously, the president and general secretary of the Students' Union represented student interests on these bodies, but the new constitution explicitly excludes this representation.
"In the earlier practice, the president and general secretary represented students on these bodies. But the new Students' Council Constitution excludes this," revealed a student who requested anonymity due to concerns about potential repercussions.
Decentralized Election Process and Administrative Control
Under the new Students' Council structure, the election process has been decentralized with each class electing one representative. These representatives will collectively form the larger Students' Council. Once elected, council members will be placed on various committees including finance, culture, literature, and sports through nominations made by the institute administration.
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) will oversee these nominations and retains the authority to add non-elected students to committees if it determines representation is inadequate. The OSA will also nominate elected student representatives to important bodies such as the Gender Development Cell and the Equal Opportunity Cell.
Student groups have strongly criticized this expanded role of the OSA, alleging that it shifts decision-making power away from elected representatives and toward the administration, potentially undermining democratic participation and student autonomy.
Controversial Non-Political Affiliation Undertaking
The revised rules introduce a new compulsory undertaking for candidates that requires them to declare they are not affiliated with nor represent any political party, organization, or student wing. This represents a significant expansion from previous requirements where candidates only needed to declare they had no criminal record, that submitted information was accurate, and that they would comply with election rules.
The new format includes additional declarations that candidates have no political affiliations, face no pending disciplinary action, maintain a minimum 75% attendance rate, and have no academic arrears. The undertaking explicitly states that any false declaration can lead to immediate cancellation of candidature.
"Other conditions, although not explicitly part of the undertaking, were certainly considered during the older process of nomination too. But it is absurd for the institute to ask students contesting for student body election to declare that they don't have any political affiliation," said one student candidate speaking on condition of anonymity.
Transparency Concerns and Administrative Response
Amid the controversy surrounding the undertaking, students have raised additional concerns about the lack of transparency in how the revised framework for student body elections was finalized. Students report being given until 5 PM on Friday to submit suggestions to the revised Constitution, while the nomination process for the February 6 election had already closed on Thursday.
"After we raised objections, the administration has declared that the Students' Council Constitution is only a draft and up for suggestions from students. But even before our suggestions are considered the election programme is already underway," explained a student involved in the process.
Students have argued that if the proposed Constitution remains a draft document, the upcoming student body elections cannot legitimately be conducted under the revised framework. However, TISS's Dean of Student Affairs Prof M Mariappan has clarified that this election will proceed according to the new framework while promising that "all the suggestions aimed at strengthening the student council model will be considered."
Administration's Perspective on Governance Changes
The institute administration maintains that these structural changes aim to ensure wider student participation and more effective governance. According to Prof Mariappan, "Having a large student council with various committees, instead of a student union of only a few members, ensures decentralisation of power along with more opportunities for a larger number of students to develop their personalities by involving in extra-curricular activities."
He provided examples of how specialized committees could benefit students, noting that "having a sports committee will ensure that good sportsmen from the campus are facilitated to participate in various competitions. Their representation of TISS will bring the institute a recognition at a wider spectrum of talent."
Regarding the controversial undertaking, Prof Mariappan explained that "No one will be disqualified on the basis of the undertaking alone. This is only a precautionary measure so that students do not bring their political behaviour into the institutional function." He emphasized that the institute expects student candidates to understand that while performing their duties as council members, they should maintain "a solution-oriented approach to work alongside the administration with focus only on students' welfare."
The administration has refuted student claims that they will no longer be represented on administrative bodies, with Prof Mariappan asserting that "Students will be represented on all statutory bodies of the institution as per requirement."
As TISS Mumbai moves forward with its February 6 elections under this revised framework, the changes have triggered a broader debate about the future of student representation, democratic participation, and institutional governance in higher education institutions across India.
