TISS postpones August 2 convocation at the last minute; CJI Surya Kant was to attend
Officially citing 'unforeseen circumstances', institute calls off ceremony amid campus discussions over possible protests as CJI Surya Kant was scheduled to attend as chief guest
Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has postponed its 86th convocation, scheduled for August 2, just two days before the event, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.
The official email didn’t specify a reason. Officials and students said there were discussions on campus over security arrangements, since Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was scheduled to attend as chief guest. They said there were concerns that protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could break out during the event.
“Although this was not publicly announced anywhere, it was common knowledge on campus. Considering the current situation surrounding the CJP, there were concerns over whether there would be any protest or other activity targeting the chief guest on campus,” an official said, adding that no official reason had been communicated for the postponement.
In a statement issued to media on Friday evening, the institute administration however has stated, “The Institute assessed that the ceremony could not be held in a conducive environmentand that proceeding as scheduled could have affected the wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, dignitaries, guests, and campus life.” But it does not specify reasons behind why the ceremony could not be held in a conducive environment. There was no response from administration when The Indian Express reporter reached out for comment on this.
Further recognising the inconvenience, disappointment, and hardship caused to graduating students and their families the statement adds that the Institute has decided to extend financial support. “The institute will examine requests related to financial hardship arising from the postponement on a case-to-case basis,” it added, stating that the same has been communicated to the concerned students.
Noting that the convocation will be rescheduled at the earliest and a revised date will be announced soon; the statement assures that students requiring provisional degree certificates, consolidated grade sheets, or other academic documents will be provided through the prescribed process.
By Friday evening, the institute had also issued a public statement in this regard on its official website.
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Students were initially informed about the postponement of the convocation ceremony via an email sent out shortly after midnight on Thursday, in which the institute’s Registrar said: “We sincerely regret to inform you that, due to unforeseen circumstances, TISS’s 86th Convocation, scheduled for August 2, 2026, has been postponed.”
The last-minute call has left many students upset. Several said they’d already made travel arrangements for parents and relatives to attend.
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Students and officials said police personnel had visited the campus in the days before the event, which many believed was part of security preparations for the Chief Justice’s visit.
“There was no official communication from the administration regarding the CJI’s visit. However, messages circulated by groups associated with the right-wing warned students of consequences if any dissenting activity was held on campus during the convocation,” a student, adding that there were talks that some students might hold demonstration in protest either as organised groups or individual spontaneous dissent, since the CJP movement continues to resonate with many young people.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
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