Equal Opportunity Centre and SC/ST & OPEM Cells

SC/ST CELL

The SC/ST Cell of TISS was earlier known as Students Service Cell (SSC). The SSC was established in 1986 with financial assistance from the then Ministry of Welfare, Government of India, to assist the SC and ST students in improving their academic performance and optimising their personal and social development. In 1988, the Institute obtained the approval of the UGC to set up a Special Cell for SCs and STs (SC/ST Cell), which began functioning from 1989.

Objectives of SC/ST Cell

The main objective of establishing the SC/ST Cell in Universities and colleges, according to the Xth Plan profile of Higher Education in India under Para 10.B2, is, “To ensure the effective implementation of the reservation policy in admission, recruitment, allotment of staff quarters, Hostels etc.” The purpose of this special Cell, according to the University Grants Commission, is “to help the universities in implementing the reservation policy with regard to the admission of students and the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff at various levels.   The specific objectives of the SC/ST Cell include the following:  

1. To implement reservation policy in the Universities and Colleges.
2. To collect data regarding the implementation of policies in respect of admissions and appointments to teaching and non-teaching positions in the universities and affiliated colleges, and analyse the data showing the trends and changes towards fulfilling the required quota.
3. To take such follow up measures for achieving the objectives and targets laid down for the purpose by the GoI and the UGC.
4. To implement, monitor and evaluate continuously the reservation policy in the Institute and its off-campuses, and plan measures for ensuring effective implementation of the policy and programme of the GoI.

Functions of SC/ST Cell

According to the UGC Guidelines of 1998, the functions of the SC/ST Cell are to:

1. Circulate the decisions of GoI and UGC and collect information regarding course-wise admissions to candidates belonging to the SC and ST communities in the Institute and its off-campuses for different programmes, in the suitable forms prescribed by a stipulated date, and to take follow up action, where required, on an annual basis.
2. Circulate GoI orders and the Commission’s decisions and to collect information with respect of the appointment and training of personnel from these communities in teaching and non-teaching posts in the Institute and its off-campuses, by a stipulated date and take follow up action where required.
3. Collect reports and information regarding GoI orders on the various aspects of education, training and employment of SC/ST candidates, for evolving new policies or modifying existing policy by the Commission.
4. Analyse information on admissions, education, training and employment of SC and ST and prepare reports and digests for onward transmission to the Ministry of Human Resource Development/UGC and other such authorities as may be required.
5. Deal with representations received from SC and /ST candidates regarding their admission, recruitment, promotion and other similar matters in Universities/Colleges.
6. Monitor the working of the remedial coaching scheme, if approved in the affiliated colleges and university.
7. Function as a Grievances Redressal Cell for SC/ST students and employees of the university and render them necessary help in solving their academic as well as administrative problems.  For this purpose, the Cell shall maintain a Register of grievances to record the grievances received, action taken to resolve or dispose off the grievance.
8. Maintain a register for employment of SCs/STs in the University and colleges for the candidates belonging to SC/ST communities for various posts in the university/colleges.
9. Any other work assigned from time to time to promote higher education among the communities suffering economic, social and educational deprivations.
10. Engage exclusively on the matters of SCs/STs alone, and other matters to be assigned to the SC/ST Cell.
11. Provide data pertaining to the SC and ST matters whenever required by the UGC, and if the required data not submitted by the given date, the UGC reserves the right to withhold either plan or non-plan grant until the required information/data is received. Hence, the universities/colleges are advised to supply the necessary information as required.

Duties of Liaison Officer, SC/ST Cell

1. Ensuring due compliance by the respective authorities with the reservation orders and other benefits and support measures admissible to SC/ST/OBC/PWD/Minorities.
2. Scrutinising and ensuring prompt submission of the prescribed annual statements by the institute authorities to the Ministries/Departments and consolidation of the annual statement and sending the same to the Department of Personnel and Training.
3. Scrutinising all proposals for de-reservation of seats for admissions and to certify after due satisfaction that such de-reservations are inevitable and that all steps prescribed in this regard have been faithfully taken.
4. Liaising between the Ministries/Departments and Institute and the Department of Personnel and training for supply of required information, answering queries and clearing doubts.
5. Conducting annual inspection of the rosters maintained authentication of the same and keeping a record of such inspections.
6. Extending necessary assistance to all appropriate authorities to discharge their duties.

Fee Structure for SC and ST Students eligible for GoI-PMS

Fee Structure for SC and ST Students Eligible for GoI’s Post Matric Scholarship, Pursuing M.A. (2 years) Programmes

Particulars of fees	Fees to be paid in each Semester (in Rs.)
	I	II	III	IV
Course Fee	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Refundable Deposit	2,500	-	-	-
Health Care Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-
Alumni Fund	-	500	-	-
Student’s Union Fee	500	500	500	500
Other Charges (ID Card, Convocation & Miscellaneous)	2,500	-	-	-
Total	7,500	1,000	2,500	500
Hostel Fee*	18,000	18,000	18,000	18,000
Dining Hall Fee#	20,000	20,000	20,000	20,000
* Hostel Charges per semester is Rs. 18,000/- payable in two instalments of Rs. 9,000/- each. The first instalment of Rs. 9,000/- is to be paid at the time of admission. # Dining Hall Charges are calculated on monthly basis and are payable in two instalments per semester. Actual bill will be adjusted against the advance paid.

Fee Structure for SC and ST Students Eligible for GoI-Post Matric Scholarship Pursuing B.A. Programmes
Particulars of fees	Fees to be paid in each Semester (in Rs.)
	I	II	III	IV	V	VI
Course Fee	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Refundable Deposit	2,500	-	-	-	-	-
Health Care Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-	2,000	-
Student’s Union Fee	500	500	500	500	500	500
Alumni Fund	-	500	-	-	-	-
Other Charges (ID Card, Convocation & Miscellaneous)	2,500	-	-	-	-	-
Total	7,500	1,000	2,500	500	2,5000	500
Hostel Fee*	18,000	18,000	18,000	18,000	18,000	18,000
Dining Hall Fee #	20,000	20,000	20,000	20,000	20,000	20,000
Hostel Charges per semester is Rs. 18,000/- payable in two instalments of Rs. 9,000/- each. The first instalment of Rs. 9,000/- is to be paid at the time of admission. # Dining Hall Charges are calculated on monthly basis and are payable in two instalments per semester. Actual bill will be adjusted against the advance paid.

CELL FOR OBC, PWD, EWS & MINORITIES  (OPEM CELL):

The 1998 UGC guidelines directed all educational institutions and Universities receiving grant-in-aid from the UGC to establish Cells not only for the SCs and STs, but also for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Persons with Disability (PWD), and Minorities.  With the introduction of 10 percent reservation in 2020 both in admission and recruitment for those other than the SCs, STs and OBC, called Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the concerns of the EWS category students, faculty and satff are also to be taken care of under a special Cell. Considering the relatively long history of the SC/ST Cell in TISS and there are special laws for the protection and development of SC and ST students, faculty and staff, the exclusive identity of the SC/ST Cell is retained, while the concerns of the OBC, PWD, EWS and Minority category students, faculty and staff of TISS are brought under an inclusive Cell called OPEM Cell, i.e., Cell for OBC, PWD, EWS and Minority category students, faculty and staff. Till 2020, this Cell was known as Equal Opportunity Cell (EO Cell).  The concerns of students belonging to the Kashmiri Migrants category, and of those students who are the children/spouses of those died in Armed Forces are also considered under the OPEM Cell.

Note: Since there is no exclusive guidelines for these Cells, and the objectives of OPEM Cell are by and large similar to that of the SC/ST Cell, the roles and responsibilities of the LO, OPEM Cell are considered  similar to that of the LO, SC/ST Cell. 

Support to SC/ST,  OBC (NC) & Other Students eligible for GoI-PMS:

The OBC(NC) students have to pay the course fees for the programme they are pursuing, like any general category student (refer Fee Chart given in Prospectus of Master’s Degree Programme). However, those OBC (NC) students who are unable to pay the full fees at the time of joining the Institute are, on application, provided an upfront Student Aid of Rs. 12,000/- towards tuition fee. 

Contacts for office of SC/ST Cell and OPEM Cell