Updated on 22nd April 2026 / 12:59 p.m. / #TISSMumbai
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai is one of India's most respected public universities, established in 1936 as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work. Operating as a Category-1 Deemed University under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accredited by NAAC with an A+ grade (score: 3.33), TISS Mumbai has carved a distinct niche in management education through its MBA-equivalent postgraduate programs in Human Resource Management, Organisational Development, and Hospital Administration.
For aspirants targeting the 2026 academic cycle, TISS Mumbai offers three flagship CAT-based PG programs: the MA in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations (MA HRM & LR), the MA in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership, and the Master of Hospital Administration (MHA).
These programs are consistently ranked among India's top management offerings, combining rigorous academics, strong industry exposure, and exceptional placement outcomes at a fraction of the cost of traditional MBA programs. This guide covers everything MBA aspirants need to know, from program details and eligibility to the admission process, fee structure, and placement data.
Before diving into program-specific details, the snapshot below covers the essential facts about TISS Mumbai as a management institution.
The table below presents the core institutional details of TISS Mumbai, giving MBA aspirants a quick reference for accreditation, ranking, contact, and admission exam details.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1936 |
| Type | Deemed University (Category-1, Government-funded) |
| Location | V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai – 400088 |
| Accreditation | NAAC A+ (Score: 3.33) |
| Recognised By | UGC, BCI, ASCI |
| NIRF Ranking 2025 | 101–150 Band (Overall); #72 |
| MBA-Equivalent Programs | MA HRM & LR, MA ODCL, MHA |
| Entrance Exam Accepted | CAT 2025 |
| Application Fee | INR 1,750 + bank charges (per program) |
| Admissions Portal | admissions.tiss.ac.in |
TISS Mumbai does not offer a conventional MBA degree. Instead, it offers Master of Arts (MA) programs that are widely recognised as MBA equivalents in terms of curriculum design, industry alignment, and placement outcomes. Admission to all three programs below is based exclusively on CAT 2025 scores.
The table below provides a comparative overview of the three CAT-based postgraduate management programs offered at TISS Mumbai for the 2026-27 academic year, including duration, offering school, and total seats.
| Program | Offered By | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MA in Human Resource Management & Labour Relations (MA HRM & LR) | School of Management and Labour Studies | 2 Years |
| MA in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership (MA ODCL) | School of Management and Labour Studies | 2 Years |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | School of Health Systems Studies | 2 Years |
The MA HRM & LR is TISS Mumbai's most sought-after and competitive program. Formerly known as M.A. in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, this program has been shaping HR professionals for over four decades. It is designed to develop professionally competent and socially sensitive management graduates equipped to lead human resources functions across sectors.
The curriculum blends contemporary HR management theory with in-depth knowledge of labour law, industrial relations, organisational behaviour, and business strategy. Graduates from this program occupy leadership positions across IT/ITeS, banking and finance, telecom, manufacturing, public sector, pharmaceutical, retail, and management consultancy, and are widely regarded as among the most sought-after HR professionals in the industry.
The MA ODCL is a self-financed program designed for working professionals who aspire to specialise in organisational transformation, change management, and leadership development. It is the only TISS management program that mandates a minimum of two years of full-time post-graduation work experience as an eligibility criterion.
Fieldwork is a core component of the ODCL curriculum. Students work directly with corporates, public sector units, and development organisations, applying concepts of organisational development and change in real-world settings. Graduates take up roles in organisational development, learning and leadership, HR transformation, and change management across reputed organisations and consulting firms.
The eligibility requirements for the three CAT-based PG programs at TISS Mumbai are defined in the official Admission Brochure. Candidates must fulfil both academic and entrance exam requirements to be considered for admission.
As per Government of India norms, TISS Mumbai applies the following reservation policy to every program. Reservation is applied only at the final seat allotment stage and not during the shortlisting process.
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) - Horizontal/Supernumerary | 5% |
| Kashmiri Migrants - Horizontal/Supernumerary | 5% |
| Wards of Armed Forces Employees – Horizontal/Supernumerary | 5% |
International students (foreign nationals, OCI cardholders, and NRIs) are eligible to apply for all three CAT-based programs through the International Admission Portal. In addition to meeting the standard eligibility criteria and the TISS international selection process, international applicants must provide a GMAT Focus Edition Score of 605 or a GMAT Score of 650 or above. This certificate must be submitted before the program commences.
Admission to all three CAT-based PG programs at TISS Mumbai for the 2026-27 academic year is based on CAT 2025 scores and a subsequent Online Assessment (OA). The process is entirely online.
Candidates are shortlisted for the Online Assessment based on their CAT 2025 performance and a diversity parameter.
The table below presents the official shortlisting weightage criteria for each of the three CAT-based PG programs at TISS Mumbai for 2026-27 admissions
| Program | CAT Score Weightage | Diversity Weightage | Nature of Diversity |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA HRM & LR | 97% | 3% | Gender Diversity (3 marks extra for female and transgender candidates) |
| MA ODCL | 95% | 5% | Gender Diversity (5 marks extra for female and transgender candidates) |
The Admissions Committee of TISS reserves the right to modify the above parameters and cut-off criteria as deemed appropriate. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official admissions website.
Shortlisted candidates appear for the Online Assessment, which differs by program:
The final merit list is drawn based on a composite of the CAT score, graduation marks (assessed by academic category), and performance in the interview.
This table shows the final selection weightage for each of the three TISS Mumbai CAT-based programs, reflecting how CAT score, interview performance, and graduation marks contribute to the final admission offer.
| Program | CAT Score | Online Interview (PI) | Graduation Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA HRM & LR | 70% | 20% | 10% |
| MA ODCL | 70% | 20% | 10% |
Graduation degrees are classified into six academic categories (AC-1 to AC-6) for the purpose of assessing graduation marks.
TISS Mumbai is recognised for its extraordinary value-for-money proposition in management education. The total program fee for its flagship MA HRM & LR course is a fraction of what comparable programs cost at other top business schools in India. The fee structure includes tuition, a refundable caution deposit, and examination charges, paid on a semester-wise basis.
The table below presents the approximate total fee for the full two-year duration of each CAT-based PG program at TISS Mumbai.
| Program | Duration | Total Fee (Approx. for Full Course) |
|---|---|---|
| MA in HRM & Labour Relations (MA HRM & LR) | 2 Years | INR 2.03 Lakhs |
| MA in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership (MA ODCL) | 2 Years | INR 8.49 Lakhs (Self-Financed) |
The MA ODCL is a self-financed program, and therefore its fee structure is separate from the standard TISS fee schedule applicable to MA HRM & LR and MHA.
TISS Mumbai concluded its Final Placement Process for the flagship MA HRM & LR batch of 2023-25 in January 2025. The placement outcomes reflect the consistent strength of the program and the sustained demand for TISS graduates across India's leading organisations.
The table below captures the key final placement statistics for the MA HRM & LR batch of 2025 based on the official TISS Placement Report.
| Placement Metric | Data (2025) |
|---|---|
| Batch Size (Participating) | 70 Students |
| Highest CTC | INR 36.25 LPA |
| Mean CTC (Average) | INR 28.20 LPA |
| Median CTC | INR 28.00 LPA |
| Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) | 43% of the batch (30 students) |
| Number of Recruiting Companies | 38 firms |
The table below shows the sector-wise distribution of final placement offers for the MA HRM & LR batch of 2025, highlighting the dominant industries that recruited from TISS Mumbai.
|
Sector |
Approximate Share of Placements |
|
Manufacturing and Conglomerates |
34% (Top Recruiting Sector) |
|
BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) |
14% |
|
FMCG / FMCD |
- |
|
Consulting |
- |
|
IT and E-Commerce |
- |
|
Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare |
- |
The 2025 placement season saw participation from 38 companies, including 8 first-time recruiters. The Aditya Birla Group extended the highest number of job offers. Other prominent recruiters included Accenture Strategy and Consulting, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto, Citi Bank, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Godrej Industries, ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Larsen and Toubro, Mondelez International, Nestlé, Reliance Industries, RPG Group, and TAS (Tata Administrative Services). First-time recruiters in 2025 included Ather Energy, Capital One, Emversity, Lupin Ltd., Motilal Oswal, OYO, Persistent Systems, and Virtusa Consulting. Flipkart returned to campus after a gap.
The table below presents the summer internship placement statistics for the MA HRM & LR batch at TISS Mumbai.
|
Internship Metric |
Data (2025) |
|
Students Who Received Internship Offers |
66 |
|
Highest Stipend (for 2 months) |
INR 5 Lakhs |
|
Average Stipend |
INR 2.82 Lakhs |
|
Median Stipend |
INR 3 Lakhs |
|
Average Stipend – Top 25% |
INR 3 Lakhs |
TISS Mumbai does not offer a conventional MBA degree. It offers three MBA-equivalent postgraduate programs based on CAT scores: the MA in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations (MA HRM & LR), the MA in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership (MA ODCL).
Admission to all CAT-based PG programs at TISS Mumbai for 2026-27 is based on CAT 2025 scores. Shortlisted candidates appear for an Online Assessment comprising a Personal Interview (and an Extempore Reflection Test for MHA). The final merit list is based on CAT score (70% for HRM & LR and ODCL; 80% for MHA), interview performance, and graduation marks. Applications are submitted online.
No. For the MA HRM & LR and MA ODCL programs, TISS Mumbai assigns zero weightage to Class 10, Class 12, and undergraduate academic scores during the shortlisting stage. Graduation marks carry a 10% weightage only in the final merit list stage, assessed through a standardised academic category system. This makes TISS among the fairest and most performance-based selection processes in Indian management education.