The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has released a recruitment notice for the post of Female Social Work Fellow under Prayas, a field action project of the Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work, TISS, Mumbai. The post is linked to work at Byculla District Prison, Mumbai city, and applications are to be submitted online within the dates given in the official notice.
This is a single-post contractual recruitment meant for candidates with a Master in Social Work (MSW) degree. The official notice clearly states that the post is open only to female candidates, and it also specifies the age limit, language expectations, salary, and fee structure. For candidates working in or moving toward criminal justice and prison-based social work, this is a very specific project role rather than a broad campus recruitment drive.
Applicants should pay close attention to the confirmed essentials: the last date, qualification, age cut-off, application fee rules, and the need to complete the process online through the official TISS route. Some later-stage details, such as the exact interview date or final joining timeline, are not separately published in the public notice and should therefore be treated as not yet announced.
Recruitment Overview
TISS has invited online applications for the post of Female Social Work Fellow for work at Byculla District Prison, Mumbai city. The recruitment is being conducted under Prayas, a field action project of the Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work, TISS, Mumbai.
This is a project-based contractual post and the notice is specific to one female vacancy. Candidates should read the official PDF and use the official TISS project positions route for application rather than relying on third-party summaries alone.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement date | 01 April 2026 |
| Posted on TISS project positions page | 02 April 2026 |
| Last date of online application | 15 April 2026 |
No separate official date for interview, shortlist publication, or joining has been published in the publicly visible notice so far.
Post Name, Vacancy and Job Location
The recruitment is for the following post:
- Post: Female Social Work Fellow
- Total vacancies: 1
- Location: Byculla District Prison, Mumbai city
The role is tied to prison-based social work under the Prayas project. This is not a generic social work opening across multiple locations; the notice is specifically for the Byculla District Prison assignment.
Eligibility Criteria
The official notice indicates the following eligibility requirements:
- A Master in Social Work (MSW) degree from a recognized institute or university
- Only female candidates are eligible for this post
- Fluency in spoken Hindi and English
- Preference for candidates with fluency in spoken Marathi
- Preference for candidates with prior experience of social work practice in the field of criminal justice
The preferred experience clause matters here because the post is located inside a prison-based criminal justice setting. Candidates with relevant field exposure may be better aligned with the nature of the work.
Age Limit
The upper age condition mentioned in the notice is below 35 years as on 31 March 2026.
Candidates should calculate eligibility exactly with reference to this cut-off date. The public notice available for this recruitment does not separately list any additional age-relaxation table, so applicants should rely on the official document and application form instructions for any category-related treatment, if applicable.
Salary and Nature of Appointment
The consolidated salary for the post is Rs. 30,000 per month, including field work allowance.
The recruitment notice describes the position as project-based and temporary in nature. Applicants should understand this as a contractual assignment under a field action project rather than a regular permanent TISS cadre post.
Application Fee
The fee structure stated in the notice is as follows:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS and other non-exempt applicants | Rs. 500 |
| SC/ST/PWD candidates with required certificate | Rs. 125 |
| Women applicants | Nil |
Since this recruitment is only for female candidates, eligible applicants for this post are effectively covered by the women fee waiver mentioned in the notice. Candidates should still complete the online form exactly as instructed on the official platform.
Selection Process and Document Verification
The public notice confirms that shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. It also indicates that candidates called for the next stage should bring their documents for verification.
A separate written examination schedule has not been published in the publicly visible notice. Based on the structure of the recruitment notice, candidates should expect shortlisting first, followed by further assessment and verification steps as communicated by TISS to shortlisted applicants.
How to Apply
- Open the official TISS project positions page.
- Locate the Social Work Fellow post linked to Byculla District Prison under Prayas.
- Read the official notification PDF carefully before starting the form.
- Fill the online application with accurate personal, educational, and contact details.
- Upload the required supporting documents in the prescribed manner.
- Pay the fee only if applicable under the official fee rules.
- Submit the application on or before 15 April 2026.
Applicants should not wait for the last day because document upload issues, payment issues, or form errors can delay submission.
What the Role Is About
This recruitment sits within Prayas, a TISS field action project connected to the Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work. The project context is important because the role is not a classroom-only or office-only social work assignment. It is linked to prison-based intervention and support work within a criminal justice setting.
That context explains why the notice gives preference to candidates with experience in social work practice related to criminal justice and why language ability matters for field interaction. Candidates should assess fit not only on degree eligibility but also on the actual field nature of the position.
Confirmed Details and Not Yet Announced Details
The following points are clearly confirmed in the official notice: post name, female-only eligibility, vacancy count, location, MSW requirement, age cut-off, language expectations, salary, fee structure, and the 15 April 2026 last date.
The following details are not separately published in the public notice available for this recruitment: exact interview date, shortlist release date, final selection timeline, joining date, and any detailed stage-wise schedule beyond online application and subsequent document-related shortlisting steps. Candidates should therefore treat any unofficial claims on these later stages with caution unless TISS publishes them directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for TISS Social Work Fellow Recruitment 2026?
The last date for receipt of online application is 15 April 2026.
How many vacancies are available in this recruitment?
There is 1 vacancy for the post of Female Social Work Fellow.
Who can apply for the TISS Social Work Fellow post?
Candidates with a Master in Social Work (MSW) degree from a recognized institute or university can apply, subject to the other conditions in the notice.
Is this post open only to female candidates?
Yes. The official notice specifically states that this Social Work Fellow post is for female candidates only.
What is the age limit for the TISS Social Work Fellow post?
Applicants must be below 35 years of age as on 31 March 2026.
What salary is offered for the Social Work Fellow role?
The post carries a consolidated salary of Rs. 30,000 per month including field work allowance.
Do women applicants need to pay the application fee?
No. The notice states that women applicants are waived from payment of the application fee.
Where is the posting for this recruitment?
The selected candidate will be posted for work linked to Byculla District Prison, Mumbai city, under the Prayas project of TISS.