KALINGA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (KISS) DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), also known informally as KISS University, is a higher education institute with deemed-to-be-university status, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. It was established in 1993 by Achyuta Samanta as a residential tribal school and was awarded university status in 2017. Satya S. Tripathi was appointed chancellor in 2021, and Sasmita Samanta serves as Vice Chancellor. In April 2023, Achyuta Samanta announced plans to expand the institution, including discussions with the West Bengal government to establish a new campus starting at the school level and gradually expanding to post-graduation programs. Academically, KISS offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Bachelor's programs are offered in Arts, Science, and Commerce (all Honours), focusing on tribal studies including culture, philosophy, heritage, science and technology, linguistics and literature, resource management, and legal studies and rights. There are seven master's degree departments covering areas such as Tribal Culture, Philosophy & Eco-Spiritualism, Tribal Heritage & Indology, Comparative Tribal Linguistics & Literature, Tribal Legal Studies & Rights, Indigenous Knowledge Science & Technology, Comparative Indic Studies & Tribal Science, and Tribal Resource Management. The same subject areas are offered at the Ph.D. and M.Phil. levels.