TISS Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 21 Research Investigator, Research Assistant and More Posts

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is recruiting for 21 posts across various research positions including Research Investigator, Research Assistant, Field Investigator, and other project-based roles under multiple research projects funded by government and international bodies. TISS is a deemed university focused on social sciences research and education with campuses across India. These positions are purely contractual and project-specific, typically ranging from 6 months to 3 years based on project duration. Candidates selected will work on diverse research areas including public health, education, rural development, financial inclusion, and social policy research. The positions are open to candidates from across India with qualifications ranging from Bachelor's to Master's degrees in relevant disciplines. This recruitment offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in one of India's premier social science institutions.

Important Dates

Note: Exact dates to be announced in the official notification on www.tiss.edu

Vacancy Distribution (Typical / Indicative)

Post-wise Distribution:

• Research Investigator: 5 posts
• Research Assistant: 8 posts
• Field Investigator: 6 posts
• Data Entry Operator: 2 posts

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Research Investigator:

• Master's degree in Social Work/Sociology/Psychology/Public Health/Economics/Statistics or related social sciences with minimum 55% marks
• 2-3 years of research experience preferred
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods

Research Assistant:

• Master's degree in relevant discipline with minimum 55% marks OR
• Bachelor's degree with 2 years relevant experience
• Proficiency in MS Office, SPSS/STATA preferred

Field Investigator:

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline
• Good communication skills in local language
• Prior fieldwork experience preferred

Data Entry Operator:

• Bachelor's degree with computer knowledge
• Typing speed of 30 wpm minimum
• Knowledge of MS Excel/Access

Age Limit

Age Relaxation:

Age calculated as on the last date of application submission.

Nationality

• Indian Citizens only
• Candidates must possess valid Indian citizenship documents

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official TISS website at www.tiss.edu
2. Navigate to the 'Careers' or 'Recruitment' section on the homepage
3. Locate the notification for "Research Investigator, Research Assistant and Other Posts 2026"
4. Read the detailed notification carefully and ensure eligibility
5. Click on the "Apply Online" link to access the application portal
6. Register as a new user using valid email ID and mobile number
7. Login with generated credentials and fill the application form with personal, educational, and experience details
8. Upload scanned copies of photograph (50 KB), signature (30 KB), educational certificates, experience certificates, and caste certificate if applicable (all in PDF/JPG format)
9. Pay the application fee through online mode (Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI)
10. Review the complete application form and submit
11. Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference

Documents Required:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Educational certificates (10th, 12th, Graduation, Post-graduation)
• Experience certificates (if applicable)
• Caste certificate (for reserved categories)
• PwBD certificate (if applicable)
• ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID)

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Online only (Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI)

Note: Application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Selection Process

1. Shortlisting Based on Application: Initial screening of applications based on educational qualifications, experience, and eligibility criteria. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further selection stages.

1. Written Test/Assignment (if applicable): For certain positions like Research Investigator and Research Assistant, candidates may be required to complete a written test covering research methodology, statistical analysis, subject knowledge, and analytical writing.

1. Presentation/Case Study (for senior positions): Research Investigator candidates may need to present a research proposal or analyze a case study related to the project area to demonstrate research capabilities.

1. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel comprising TISS faculty and project investigators. The interview assesses technical knowledge, research aptitude, communication skills, and suitability for the specific project.

1. Skill Test (for specific positions): Data Entry Operators will undergo typing and computer proficiency tests. Field Investigators may be tested on local language proficiency and communication skills.

1. Document Verification: Selected candidates must produce original documents for verification including educational certificates, experience letters, caste certificates, ID proofs, and other relevant documents.

1. Final Merit List: Final selection based on cumulative performance in written test/interview with minimum qualifying marks. Merit list prepared category-wise and post-wise.

1. Medical Fitness (if required): For certain field-intensive positions, candidates may need to submit a medical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

Selection Test Pattern

Written Test (For Research Investigator & Research Assistant)

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in objective questions.

Qualifying Marks: General/EWS: 50%, OBC: 45%, SC/ST: 40%

Skill Test (For Data Entry Operator & Field Staff)

Note: Interview carries 100 marks. Final selection based on combined marks of written test (if conducted) and interview.

Interview Weightage: 40-50% of total selection marks depending on the position.

Detailed Syllabus

Research Methodology

• Research design and types of research (exploratory, descriptive, experimental)
• Sampling techniques and sample size determination
• Quantitative research methods: surveys, structured interviews, questionnaires
• Qualitative research methods: FGDs, in-depth interviews, case studies, ethnography
• Mixed methods research approaches
• Data collection tools and techniques
• Validity and reliability in research
• Ethical considerations in social science research
• Research report writing and documentation
• Literature review and citation methods

Statistical Methods & Data Analysis

• Descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• Probability and probability distributions
• Hypothesis testing and significance testing
• Correlation and regression analysis
• Chi-square test and ANOVA
• Non-parametric tests
• Data visualization and presentation
• Introduction to SPSS/STATA/R software
• Qualitative data analysis techniques (thematic analysis, content analysis)
• Coding and categorization of qualitative data

Social Sciences (General)

• Sociology: social structure, institutions, social change, inequality
• Social Work: theories, methods, fields of practice, community development
• Psychology: human behavior, developmental psychology, social psychology
• Public Health: health systems, epidemiology, maternal and child health
• Economics: basic economic concepts, development economics, poverty studies
• Education: educational theories, pedagogy, inclusive education
• Rural Development: rural sociology, livelihoods, MGNREGA, rural programs
• Gender Studies: gender inequality, women empowerment, gender-based violence
• Social Policy: welfare schemes, social security, rights-based approaches

Analytical & Logical Reasoning

• Verbal reasoning and comprehension
• Numerical ability and data interpretation
• Logical sequences and patterns
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Graph and table interpretation
• Analytical reasoning

Computer & Office Skills (For relevant positions)

• MS Word: document formatting, mail merge, tables
• MS Excel: formulas, functions, pivot tables, data analysis
• MS PowerPoint: presentation design and delivery
• MS Access/Database management basics
• Email and internet usage
• Data entry accuracy and speed

Field Work & Communication (For Field Investigators)

• Communication skills in local languages
• Community mobilization techniques
• Rapport building and interpersonal skills
• Field visit documentation
• Understanding of local socio-cultural contexts
• Basic knowledge of social welfare schemes

Salary & Allowances (Typical / Indicative)

Research Investigator

Research Assistant

Field Investigator

Data Entry Operator

Additional Benefits:

• These are contractual positions with consolidated pay (no DA/HRA separately)
• Some projects may provide medical insurance coverage
• Leave entitlement as per project norms (typically 1-1.5 days per month)
• No pension or gratuity benefits
• Performance-based contract renewal possible
• Travel expenses reimbursed for official field visits
• Professional development opportunities through TISS workshops and seminars

Note: Exact salary depends on the specific project, funding agency, candidate's qualification and experience. No increment structure as these are fixed-term contractual positions.

These are contractual, project-based positions with limited vertical growth within the same project. However, successful performance can lead to contract extensions, movement to other TISS projects, or selection in higher research positions. Many researchers use TISS experience as a stepping stone to pursue PhD programs, join academia, or transition to development sector organizations and research institutes. TISS also provides excellent networking opportunities with faculty, researchers, and development practitioners that can aid long-term career progression in social science research and practice.

Admit cards for written tests or skill tests will be released approximately 7-10 days before the examination date on the TISS recruitment portal. Shortlisted candidates must login to the application portal using their registered credentials to download the admit card. No physical admit cards will be sent by post. The admit card contains important details including examination center address, reporting time, candidate's photograph, and important instructions. Candidates must carry a printout of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Voter ID) to the examination center. For interviews, separate call letters will be sent via email to shortlisted candidates.

Results will be declared separately for each stage of the selection process. Written test/skill test results will be published on the TISS website within 15-20 days of the test date, displaying roll numbers of shortlisted candidates. Interview results and final merit lists will be declared within 2-3 weeks after completion of all interviews. Results are published on www.tiss.edu under the recruitment section. Selected candidates will also receive individual email communication regarding their selection and joining formalities. No individual queries regarding marks or rank will be entertained, but candidates can access their scorecards through the candidate login portal.

Cutoff marks vary by position and category based on the number of applicants and difficulty level of the test. For Research Investigator positions, General category cutoffs typically range between 120-140 marks out of 200 in the written test, while interview cutoffs are around 50-60 out of 100. For Research Assistant positions, written test cutoffs are generally 100-120 for General category. SC/ST cutoffs are typically 15-20% lower than General category, while OBC cutoffs are 5-10% lower. Category-wise final cutoffs depend on the combined performance in written test and interview, with merit lists prepared separately for each category to ensure reservation compliance.

Examination Centres

North: Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun

South: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati

West: Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Indore, Vadodara

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala

Central: Bhopal, Indore, Raipur, Nagpur

Note: TISS reserves the right to cancel any center and/or add new centers depending on the response and administrative feasibility. Candidates appearing for written tests at TISS campuses (Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, Hyderabad) will get preference for those centers subject to availability.