TISS V-C Badri Narayan Tiwari Says Institute Moving from "Tata Mode" to Government Framework

Tata Institute of Social Sciences Vice Chancellor Badri Narayan Tiwari has rejected claims that the institute functions as an “anti-government” campus, stating that such perceptions unfairly stereotype the institution and ignore its long-standing engagement with governments across political ideologies. In his first detailed interview since assuming office in 2025, Tiwari said TISS remains committed to academic freedom while also adapting to a more accountable governance structure under the centre's revised framework.

Tiwari, who became the first full-time vice chancellor appointed under the government’s revised governance regulations introduced in 2023, said the institute is transitioning from what he described as a “Tata mode” of functioning to a more structured “government-institution framework". He explained that the change reflects evolving administrative expectations and greater public accountability following the expansion of the centre's role in the governance of the institution. Despite the shift, he maintained that the university’s academic character and commitment to social research would remain intact.

Addressing concerns about political activity on campus, Tiwari argued that universities should primarily function as spaces for “academic engagement” rather than “political sloganeering". He said discussions, debates, and ideological diversity are important elements of higher education but emphasised that academic institutions should avoid being reduced to centres of partisan confrontation. According to him, meaningful engagement through research, policy analysis, and intellectual debate is more constructive than politically charged campus conflicts.

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The vice chancellor also highlighted TISS’s historical role in working closely with governments, civil society organisations, and policy institutions on social development, research, and welfare initiatives. He argued that the institution’s contributions over decades demonstrate that it cannot be simplistically labelled as anti-government. Tiwari noted that the institute has collaborated with administrations led by different political parties and has consistently contributed expertise in areas such as social policy, public health, rural development, education, and community welfare.

The governance changes at TISS have generated debate within academic circles since the centre expanded its influence over appointments and administration through revised regulations in 2023. Critics have expressed concerns about institutional autonomy and the possibility of increased political influence in university affairs. Supporters of the reforms, however, argue that greater accountability and alignment with public institutions are necessary for transparency and efficient administration in centrally supported academic bodies.

Tiwari’s remarks come at a time when discussions around academic freedom, campus politics, and institutional autonomy continue to dominate conversations in India’s higher education sector. His comments suggest an attempt to balance government accountability with academic openness while reshaping perceptions surrounding the institute’s political image. As TISS adapts to its new governance structure, the administration is likely to remain under close public and academic scrutiny regarding how it manages both institutional autonomy and state oversight in the years ahead.

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