TISS Asks Overstaying PhD Scholars to Vacate Hostels Over Unpaid Dues

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has requested PhD scholars from the batches of 2017, 2018, and 2019 to vacate their hostel rooms after exceeding their allotted five-year stay. The institute cites significant financial liabilities due to unpaid semester fees and hostel dues as reasons for the decision.

The city-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) announced on Wednesday that it has instructed PhD scholars from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 batches to vacate their hostel rooms for overstaying beyond the five-year period.

According to TISS, these students collectively owe substantial amounts in unpaid semester fees and hostel and dining hall dues. The institute's statement was a response to media reports about students being asked to vacate hostels.

One student mentioned that 11 individuals received notices. TISS clarified that the notices were not eviction orders but requests to vacate, as the scholars were overstaying per their five-year registration date. An anonymous professor added that students felt those linked to the Progressive Students Forum were being unfairly targeted.

The institute highlighted its financial strain, citing a Rs 18.14 crore liability due to unpaid fees, including Rs 2.28 crore from 809 PhD scholars from 2007 to July 2024. Despite many scholars successfully completing their programs and finding employment, the institute noted a lack of moral responsibility to repay outstanding dues.