Archive · 23 Aug 2026
TISS Convocation Honors Graduates, Emphasizes Ethical AI and Reform
TISS held a ceremony to celebrate students finishing their studies.
The event took place on August 22, 2026.
The institute reported that 1,377 students received degrees, although a social-media post said the number was 1,376.
Students came from four TISS campuses.
A new undergraduate group studied Analytics and Sustainability Studies.
The chancellor said artificial intelligence can be useful but can also create problems.
He warned that people might rely on computers too much, repeat unfair ideas, or lose traditional knowledge.
TISS also described plans for research, partnerships, and public-service work.
The institute said these efforts support its long-term development plans.
TISS held its 86th convocation on August 22, 2026, across its four campuses.
The institute said 1,377 students received degrees, while a social-media post cited 1,376 recipients.
The ceremony included the inaugural undergraduate batch in Analytics and Sustainability Studies.
Chancellor D. P. Singh warned that AI could cause cognitive atrophy, reinforce bias, and erase indigenous knowledge.
TISS announced a policy think tank, an AI-and-society center with IIT Bombay, and international partnerships.
- Who
- The Tata Institute of Social Sciences, its graduates, Chancellor Prof. D. P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Badri Narayan Tiwari, and Chief Guest Dr. C. S. Pramesh.
- What
- TISS held its 86th convocation, awarded degrees, discussed ethical AI and social reform, and announced institutional initiatives.
- When
- August 22, 2026; the annual report covered 2025–2026.
- Where
- Across TISS’s four campuses; the chief guest is Director of Tata Memorial Hospital.
- Why
- To confer degrees and present TISS’s academic, research, international, and long-term development plans.
Human oversight and caution
Technology and institutional modernization
Artificial intelligence
Human oversight and caution
Chancellor D. P. Singh warned that AI may encourage over-reliance on automated thinking, reproduce historical biases, and weaken the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
Technology and institutional modernization
TISS is pursuing academic modernization and announced a Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Society with IIT Bombay, reflecting an effort to study and use AI institutionally.
Development priorities
Human oversight and caution
The convocation address emphasized that human values and agency should guide technological progress and community-driven development.
Technology and institutional modernization
TISS’s strategic plans focus on evidence-based policy research, international partnerships, interdisciplinary public service, and the TISS Bharat and TISS Global frameworks.
- Graduates reported
- 1,377 students in the main convocation account; a TISS social-media post cited 1,376.
- Degree programmes
- 57 programmes.
- Admissions
- 1,520 students admitted from nearly 18,000 applications.
- Chief guest
- Dr. C. S. Pramesh, Director of Tata Memorial Hospital.
- New research initiative
- Viksit Bharat Vichar Kendra, described as a multi-funded think tank for evidence-based policy research.
- AI partnership
- TISS announced a partnership with IIT Bombay to establish a Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Society.
- International students
- 51 full-time international students were enrolled.
- Long-term planning
- The institute said it is working toward a 2036 centenary roadmap.