UPDATE: TISS has changed the exam date from December 15, 2013 to December 22, 2013.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has announced admissions for its full-time postgraduate degree programs. The TISS National Entrance Test (TISSNET) will be conducted on December 15, 2013. PaGaLGuY spoke to TISS director Prof S Parasuraman about the exam and more

What can candidates expect from TISSNET this year?

There was this general perception that the analytical ability and logical reasoning sections were extremely easy last year. So, we are going to make these sections harder. This is not to say that TISSNET will be very difficult. The overall structure will see no change.

This time there will only be a computer-based test while last year saw both computer and paper-based versions. Why this change?

For our undergraduate students, we have a computer-based test, so there is no reason to have a paper-based exam for the postgraduate students. For students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who find it difficult to navigate the test, we will have an orientation program before TISSNET free of cost.

Last year there was some controversy regarding the test scores?

Students have multiple options where one student can apply to more than one program. For instance, those who applied for clinical psychology and counselling psychology were interviewed only once but their marks had to be entered twice for both programs. For a few candidates these marks were not entered twice which distorted the entire picture. This was a mistake. So, we honoured the candidates who were offered admission and also the students who came through merit. We did not want any student to lose out. Secondly, some students who wrongly classified themselves as belonging to creamy layer category. This also meant that we had to make changes. We actually offered 120 extra seats in the first list last year. There was an error last year and we took corrective action.

What about the online petition which was filed by over 400 students for revaluation of scores?

These online petitions are all publicity stunts, and they do nothing for the candidates or the institute. You should either petition in the institute or the court. We are a public institution and have an open system in every process. If anyone wanted to know how they were evaluated, they could have filed an RTI.

Students are concerned about TISSNET and Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) being on the same day.

TISSNET is in the morning while SNAP is in the afternoon. So, there should not be too much of a problem.

What’s new at TISS this year?

Additional wings are being added to our hostel this year. We are also signing MoUs with societies nearby. These details of the accommodation will be displayed along with the merit list. This will benefit close to 1,000 students. In addition, we are launching MA in Human Resource Management and Labour relations in the Hyderabad campus. The intake will be 60 seats.