Tata Institute of Social Sciences

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) was established in 1936 as the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work. In 1944, it was renamed as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The year 1964 was an important landmark in the history of the Institute, when it was declared Deemed to be a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act (UGC), 1956. Since its inception, the Vision of the TISS has been to be an institution of excellence in higher education that continually responds to changing social realities through the development and application of knowledge, towards creating a people-centred, ecologically sustainable and just society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all.  Read more...

About CLIMS

A nation's capacity to empower its citizens and increase human potential is determined by its ability to create and use knowledge as capital. The development of libraries has been intrinsically linked to the evolution of civilization, culture, and education. A library is a testament to a society's cultural maturity, as it enriches both culture and civilization. It is often described as the "pulsing heart" of an educational institution, providing invaluable intellectual resources to the academic community and serving as a crucial national asset. Libraries are essential in fulfilling an institution's three primary objectives: teaching, research, and the dissemination of knowledge.

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has a long and proud history of developing its library system in tandem with emerging technologies. As a nationally recognized institution specializing in the social sciences, the TISS library has successfully adopted modern information technologies to expand its services and provide faster access to resources. In 2010, Sir Dorabji Tata Memorial Library launched the Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Library and Information Management (PGDLIM). The Centre for Library and Information Management Studies (CLIMS) was established in 2012 to manage the MLISc, PGDLIM and PhD programs. These programs are envisioned as a unique offering that will meet the growing need for specialized training for aspiring and current information professionals.

Vision Statement

"To be an integral part of TISS's efforts to democratize access to information by training graduates from diverse backgrounds to become proactive knowledge workers. These professionals will be skilled in the collection, organization, consolidation, repackaging, and dissemination of knowledge and information to foster social transformation, scientific and technological growth, and economic prosperity."

Mission Statement

"To prepare dynamic social change agents who can manage, monitor, and disseminate information using ICT and related technologies. To train professionals in capturing and preserving tacit and traditional knowledge. To restructure and review the Library and Information Science (LIS) curriculum to adapt to a changing socio-economic, cultural, and technological environment”.

Objectives

• To be an integral part of TISS's efforts to build an informed society and citizenry, in alignment with the institute's mission and vision.
• To raise awareness of the evolution of the knowledge society and its role in social transformation and national economic prosperity.
• To analyze the complex issues surrounding the access, use, and productive application of knowledge for social development.
• To educate and train learners to empower user communities with various types of knowledge and information, enabling them to function effectively in their respective fields.
• To foster an understanding of the methods, techniques, skills, and approaches involved in information processing and management.
• To prepare proactive library and information science professionals who will champion social justice and equity, and who will serve as partners in national progress by monitoring the ever-expanding volume of information.
• To train professionals to create development-oriented, user-friendly learning support systems and to promote social justice by fulfilling the information needs of disadvantaged user groups.