TISS Mumbai is perhaps the only premier B-School having such a strong culture of Students participating in the decision-making process of the university. Over the years, this practice has developed itself into the shape of a dynamic student union in the university. The members of the Student Union body are the ones who come out victorious after the process of election. At TISS, the student community is represented at every level right from Class Representatives up to the University level i.e. Students Union President. Similarly, there are Hostel Representatives, Library Representatives, Sports Representatives, Dining Hall committee members, SC/ST cell representatives etc.
The election process at TISS is also a very unique affair. Unlike other traditional Universities where money and muscle power influences the election, in TISS it is the Vision and Passion of the candidates which makes him a suitable candidate. Also, one distinct feature of TISS elections is the complete absence of any National or State political parties and the students cast vote as per their ideological resonance. Another remarkable feature of the TISS elections is the students there completely abide by the guidelines of the Lyngdoh committee. The handwritten chits are used for student outreach and hand-painted banners for the campaign. The election campaign goes on for three days, during which the whole campus atmosphere is like a fest, and students are all filled with enthusiasm. At TISS, a group of students debating is a common sight. The topic of the debate may range from the Political system of a primitive forest dwelling community in Santhal Pargana to the Suitability of Chi-Square test in Attrition forecasting. At TISS, one can't afford to be politically incorrect and ignorance is not bliss. Thus comes the grand finale of the election festival i.e. the presidential debate which takes place in the TISS Convention centre.
In the presidential debate, all the candidates are given a chance to put forward their agenda and vision for the position for which he/she is contesting. The presidential debate is very much a deciding factor and converts most of the votes. Next day is the D-Day i.e the voting day, for which there is a half day holiday (only 4hours of classes are cancelled during whole election process). The whole of the election process is managed by Election Committee which again is staffed and run by volunteer students, having a separate office of theirs. The prime job of EC is to ensure fair conduct of election and they oversee the process right from Nominations to the Oath taking of Representatives. Having such an encounter with the Students politics that too in the realm of idealism, at a B-School was an unprecedented experience.