TISS Student Body Overhaul: More Seats, Less Power? Debate on New Council Framework
After a year-long hiatus, student-body elections have resumed at the Mumbai campus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), but under a radically revised framework. The institute is replacing its traditional Students' Union with a new Students' Council, a move that has ignited a fierce debate between the administration and student groups. While officials tout the changes as a step towards greater democracy and expanded participation, students argue that the model concentrates authority with the institute, diluting their representative powers in key decision-making forums.
How Has the Student Election Structure Changed at TISS?
Under the previous system, each school at TISS elected one representative, regardless of the number of programmes it offered. For example, all undergraduate and postgraduate students in the School of Social Work collectively chose a single representative, while PhD students elected their own. In a subsequent phase, the entire student body voted to elect a seven-member executive team, including roles like president, vice-president, and general secretary. These office-bearers, particularly the president and general secretary, represented students on crucial institutional bodies such as the Academic Council and the Disciplinary Committee.
The new Students' Council model introduces a decentralized election process. Now, each class within every programme will elect one representative, significantly increasing the number of elected students on campus to approximately 80. Additionally, two PhD scholars will be nominated by the Dean of the Doctoral Students Office. These elected and nominated representatives will then be organized into various committees by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), covering areas like finance, cultural activities, literary events, and sports. The OSA also retains the authority to add non-elected students to committees if it deems representation insufficient.
Each committee will have a coordinator, and all coordinators will form a core group that liaises with the OSA. Furthermore, the OSA will nominate student representatives to institution-level bodies, including the Gender Development Cell and the Equal Opportunity Cell. This restructuring marks a fundamental shift in student representation at TISS, expanding the number of elected representatives but eliminating the directly elected executive body that previously advocated for students in high-stakes forums.
What Prompted the Institute Administration to Revise the Framework?
Following the dissolution of the Students' Union in 2024, student-body elections were suspended as TISS embarked on revising its election framework. The administration asserts that the overhaul aims to enhance student welfare by broadening participation in campus governance. According to officials, the old model confined leadership opportunities to a small group of office-bearers, whereas the new Students' Council structure enables more students to assume responsibilities beyond academics.
An official explained, "It provides room for students to gain a larger perspective by engaging in responsibilities beyond academics, which was limited to only a few students in the older model. The Students Council, on the other hand, will provide this opportunity to a larger number of students. We have so many talented individuals joining as students; if channelized well, each of them can have a bright future." The administration also highlighted that separate committees for specific areas like sports and literary activities would foster more focused and effective engagement.
What Is the Criticism by Students?
Student groups have voiced strong objections, arguing that the revised framework undermines the representative powers of the former Students' Union, especially in institutional decision-making. A student representative noted, "The President and General Secretary of the Student Union would represent students on bodies such as the academic council, where student-centric topics like fee structures and curriculum were discussed. They also participated in all disciplinary committees to ensure fair trials for students. The revised Students Council Constitution does not include this, making us wonder if student representatives are only meant to conduct cultural and literary activities on campus."
Critics have also targeted the decentralized election process, which removes the ability to directly elect key office-bearers. Under the new system, students vote solely for class representatives, with no clarity on their eventual roles, as committee assignments are determined by the OSA. The expanded authority of the OSA is another major concern. A student pointed out, "Not only does the OSA place members on various committees, but it also has the power to bring in non-elected members where it feels adequate representation is lacking." Additionally, students have raised issues about PhD representatives now being nominated rather than elected, further eroding democratic processes.
How Has the Institute Administration Responded to the Criticism?
Despite the election program being announced, with voting scheduled for February 6, the institute administration has indicated that the revised framework remains open for suggestions. An official stated, "The revised framework was finalized following consultation with students and faculty members. Yet, it is again declared open for suggestion after knowing that students have certain apprehensions. Their suggestions will be taken into consideration." This response suggests a willingness to engage in dialogue, though the core changes are already in motion, leaving students grappling with the new balance between participation and representation on campus.
