TISS Counsellor Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is recruiting Counsellors for various projects and initiatives across India for 2026. TISS is a premier institution in social sciences, social work, and allied areas. This recruitment aims to fill counsellor positions in community development, mental health, educational guidance, and social welfare projects. Selected candidates will work in field settings, urban or rural communities, schools, or healthcare facilities depending on project requirements. The role involves direct interaction with beneficiaries, assessment, counselling interventions, case management, and coordination with stakeholders. This is an important opportunity for qualified social work and psychology professionals to contribute to meaningful social development work.

Important Dates

Note: Exact dates will be announced in the official notification.

Vacancy Details

Typical / Indicative figures based on similar TISS recruitments:

Exact vacancy numbers will be specified in the official notification. Vacancies may vary by project and location.

Educational Qualification

• Essential: Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) / Psychology / Counselling Psychology / Applied Psychology / Clinical Psychology from a recognized university
• OR Master's Degree in Sociology / Human Development / Child Development with specialization in counselling
• Desirable: Previous experience in counselling, community work, or project-based social work (1-2 years preferred)
• Additional: Knowledge of local language of the work area may be required for certain positions

Age Limit

Typical / Indicative:

Age Relaxation:

Age calculated as on closing date of application.

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Certificate of Indian citizenship may be required at the time of document verification

How to Apply

1. Visit the official TISS recruitment portal at www.tiss.edu or the specific project website mentioned in the notification
2. Click on 'Recruitment' or 'Career Opportunities' section
3. Find the notification for 'Counsellor Recruitment 2026' and read it carefully
4. Click on 'Apply Online' link to start the application process
5. Complete the online registration by providing basic details (name, email, mobile number)
6. Fill the application form with personal details, educational qualifications, experience, and other required information
7. Upload scanned copies of required documents:

• Recent passport-size photograph (JPG format, max 50 KB)
• Signature (JPG format, max 20 KB)
• Educational certificates and mark sheets
• Experience certificates (if applicable)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
• PwBD certificate (if applicable)

1. Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI)
2. Review all filled information carefully before final submission
3. Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference

Application Fee

Typical / Indicative:

Payment through online mode only. Fee is non-refundable. Exact fee structure will be mentioned in official notification.

Selection Procedure

1. Shortlisting Based on Application: Applications will be screened based on eligibility criteria, educational qualifications, and relevant experience. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further stages.

1. Written Test / Assessment (if applicable): A written test may be conducted to assess aptitude, knowledge of counselling principles, case study analysis, and understanding of social issues. The test may include objective and descriptive questions.

1. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview before a selection committee. The interview assesses technical knowledge, counselling skills, communication ability, field readiness, and overall suitability for the role.

1. Practical / Role Play Assessment (if applicable): Candidates may be asked to demonstrate counselling skills through role-play scenarios or case presentations to evaluate practical competence.

1. Document Verification: Selected candidates must present original documents for verification including educational certificates, experience letters, identity proof, category certificates, and other supporting documents.

1. Medical Examination: Final candidates may undergo medical examination to ensure fitness for field-based work requirements.

1. Final Merit List: Based on combined performance in all stages, a final merit list will be prepared and appointment letters issued to selected candidates.

Exam Pattern

Written Test (If Conducted)

Typical / Indicative:

Note:

• There may be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in objective questions
• Descriptive answers evaluated based on understanding, approach, and solution orientation
• Exact pattern will be specified in the official notification

Interview

Interview assesses subject knowledge, counselling competence, communication skills, and overall personality.

Syllabus

Counselling Principles & Techniques

• Theories of counselling (Person-centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused)
• Counselling process and stages
• Counselling skills: Active listening, empathy, paraphrasing, questioning, reflection
• Individual counselling and group counselling
• Career counselling and educational guidance
• Crisis intervention and trauma counselling
• Ethics and professional conduct in counselling
• Confidentiality and boundaries

Psychology Fundamentals

• Basic concepts in psychology
• Developmental psychology across lifespan
• Abnormal psychology and psychopathology
• Personality theories
• Stress, anxiety, depression and common mental health issues
• Psychological assessment and testing
• Child and adolescent psychology
• Human behavior and social psychology

Social Work & Community Development

• Principles and methods of social work
• Community organization and development
• Social problems in India: poverty, inequality, gender issues, child rights
• Social welfare policies and programmes
• Working with vulnerable groups: children, women, elderly, persons with disabilities
• NGO sector and social development initiatives
• Family counselling and case work
• Group dynamics and facilitation skills

General Awareness & Current Affairs

• Major social issues in contemporary India
• Government schemes for social welfare (ICDS, Mid-Day Meal, NREGA, etc.)
• Constitutional provisions for marginalized groups
• Mental health awareness and National Mental Health Programme
• Education policies and initiatives
• Current affairs related to social development
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Case Study Analysis

• Assessment and formulation of client problems
• Intervention planning and goal setting
• Application of appropriate counselling techniques
• Ethical considerations in specific scenarios
• Documentation and case management
• Referral processes and multi-disciplinary collaboration

Salary & Allowances

Typical / Indicative figures for TISS project positions:

Additional Benefits:

• Medical facilities as per institutional norms
• Leave entitlement (casual leave, earned leave)
• Professional development opportunities and training
• Field allowances for remote postings (where applicable)
• Provident Fund and other retirement benefits (for regular positions)

Note: Salary structure may vary based on project funding, location, and nature of appointment (contractual/regular). Exact details will be in appointment letter.

Career progression for TISS Counsellors depends on the nature of appointment. For project-based positions, performance may lead to extension or absorption in regular positions. Regular employees can progress to Senior Counsellor, Counselling Supervisor, and Project Coordinator roles. With additional qualifications and experience, opportunities exist to move into research, training, academic positions within TISS, or leadership roles in social development organizations. Many counsellors also pursue doctoral studies and transition to academic careers.

Admit cards for the written test/interview will be released approximately 10-15 days before the examination date on the official TISS website or the project-specific portal mentioned in the notification. Candidates must download the admit card by logging into their application account using registration number and password. The admit card will contain details of exam center, date, time, and important instructions. No hard copy will be sent by post. Candidates must carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination center.

Results will be declared on the official TISS website after completion of the selection process. Shortlisted candidates for interview will be notified via email and the list will be published on the website. Final selection results will be published as a merit list based on combined performance in all selection stages. Selected candidates will receive appointment letters via email or post. Candidates can check their results by entering registration number or application number on the results portal.

Cutoff marks vary based on the number of applicants, difficulty level of the test, and available vacancies. For written tests, typical cutoff ranges are 40-50% for General category, 35-40% for OBC, and 30-35% for SC/ST categories. Interview performance is crucial, with minimum qualifying marks usually set at 50% for General and 45% for reserved categories. Category-wise merit lists are prepared separately. Candidates scoring above cutoff in all stages are considered for final selection based on overall ranking.

Examination Centers

The examination/interview will be conducted at major cities across India, including:

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun

South: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Patna, Ranchi

West: Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Surat, Bhopal

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala

Exact exam centers and allocation will be mentioned on the admit card. TISS reserves the right to change, add, or cancel any center depending on administrative feasibility and number of candidates.