TISS invites 2026–27 MBA/MA-PG applications — last date December 10, 2025

The registration window for the prestigious Master of Arts (MA) and MBA-equivalent Postgraduate programs at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) closes on December 10, 2025. Aspirants for the highly sought-after management programs like HRM&LR, ODCL, and MHA must apply by this date, as admission shortlisting for these courses is now mandatorily based on the CAT 2025 score.

The final application deadline for the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Master's programmes for the 2026-27 academic session is just a few days away. The registration portal, which opened on November 3, 2025, will close sharply on December 10, 2025. This is a critical cutoff date for all postgraduate aspirants, especially those targeting the top-tier MA in Human Resource Management & Labour Relations (HRM&LR), which is widely recognized as one of the best HR-focused MBA programs in India.

Candidates are strongly advised to complete their online application on the TISS Samarth portal well before the final hour to avoid last-minute technical submission failures.

I. Critical Dates for TISS 2026-27 Admission

The admission process is divided into two major stages: the initial application and CAT score-based shortlisting, followed by the rigorous Online Assessment (OA).

II. The Mandatory CAT 2025 Score Requirement

A major policy change in the TISS admission structure makes the CAT 2025 score indispensable for the three key management programs:

• CAT for Management Programs: Admission to the MA in Human Resource Management & Labour Relations (HRM&LR), MA in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership (ODCL), and Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) is now primarily based on a candidate's CAT 2025 score, replacing the institute's previous entrance exam, TISSNET.
• Mandatory Field: Candidates applying for these three programmes must have mandatorily registered for and appeared for the CAT 2025 exam (held on November 30, 2025). The CAT registration number is a required field in the TISS application form.
• Weightage: The shortlisting for the Online Assessment (OA) round heavily favours the CAT score (up to 97% weightage for HRM&LR, with the remaining weightage given to gender diversity). The final merit list also gives 70% to 80% weightage to the CAT score.

Note on Other MA Programs: For all other MA and PG programs offered by TISS, the selection process is expected to rely on the CUET PG 2026 score. Candidates applying for these non-management programs must adhere to the CUET PG application schedule (expected in early 2026).

III. Application Checklist and Eligibility

Aspirants must ensure they meet the basic eligibility criteria and follow the steps meticulously before the December 10 deadline.

• Basic Eligibility: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree of minimum three years' duration (or equivalent 15 years of formal education) from a UGC-recognised university. Final year degree students are provisionally eligible.
• Work Experience (ODCL): Applicants for the MA in ODCL must possess a minimum of 2 years (24 months) of full-time work experience after graduation, as on May 1, 2026.
• Application Fee: The application fee varies by category (e.g., General: ₹1750, OBC(NC)/EWS: ₹1250, SC/ST: ₹750). The application is considered incomplete until the fee payment is confirmed.
• How to Apply: Visit the official TISS Samarth portal (tissadmission.samarth.edu.in), register as a new user, fill the detailed form, upload all documents (including CAT details), and complete the fee payment.

Given the strict deadline, aspirants are urged to finalize their application on the TISS portal immediately to secure their candidature for the 2026-27 admission cycle.

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