TISS Orders PhD Scholars to Vacate Hostels for Exceeding Stay

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) announced on Wednesday that PhD students from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 batches have been asked to vacate their hostel rooms. These students have exceeded their allotted five-year stay and owe significant amounts in unpaid semester fees, hostel dues, and dining hall charges.

The institute's statement was a response to media reports about students being asked to leave the hostels. According to a student, 11 individuals received notices. All affected students are PhD scholars who have overstayed beyond the five-year period stipulated by their registration dates.

Notices Issued Multiple Times

According to TISS, these PhD scholars had been previously notified to vacate the hostels. The 2017 batch received six notices, the 2018 batch three notices, and the 2019 batch two notices. Despite these repeated warnings, the students continued to stay in the hostels.

A professor at TISS, speaking anonymously, mentioned that there is a perception among students that those affiliated with the Progressive Students Forum, a left-leaning group, are being specifically targeted.

Financial Liabilities and Unpaid Dues

The institute is currently burdened with financial liabilities amounting to Rs 18.14 crore due to unpaid fees. This includes Rs 2.28 crore owed by 809 PhD scholars from 2007 until July 2024. Many students who have completed their programmes and are now employed have not repaid their outstanding dues.

TISS stated that it has always supported its students and research scholars, addressing both academic and personal needs. However, by overstaying in the hostels, these PhD scholars have deprived many deserving new scholars of accommodation.

"While many students and scholars have successfully completed their academic programmes, got their degrees and are gainfully employed, they have abdicated their moral responsibility of repaying their outstanding dues to the institute," the statement added.

The institute clarified that no eviction notices were issued; instead, students were asked to vacate due to overstaying beyond their allotted time. This move aims to ensure that new deserving scholars can access hostel facilities.