Overview

The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) is a one-of-a-kind institution that brings together education, care, and empowerment under one roof. Based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, KISS comprises four key components: the Foundation, which operates as a Trust, a School, a College, and a University. What began as a modest dream is now a transformative movement that has impacted the lives of over 80,000 tribal children.
At our core is a simple but powerful belief: that every child, no matter where they’re born, deserves a life free from hunger, poverty, and illiteracy. That’s why KISS provides free education, accommodation, food, and healthcare to over 30,000 indigenous students on our main campus—and to thousands more through our satellite centers. With over 40,000 alumni leading change in their communities, KISS is more than a school. It’s a second home, a safe space, and a launchpad for dreams.
Odisha is home to one of India’s largest tribal populations—around 24% of the state’s people belong to indigenous communities. These communities have historically faced barriers to access, opportunity, and representation. In 1992–93, Dr. Achyuta Samanta set out to change that. With just 125 tribal students in a rented building, he laid the foundation of what would become the world’s largest residential institute providing free education from Class I all the way to doctoral studies.
Today, KISS offers a complete support system for children—academics, life skills, sports, arts, and vocational training—anchored in dignity, respect, and cultural pride. Our students are excelling not only in their classrooms but also on global platforms, proving that given the right chance, they can shine anywhere.

Mission and Vision 

From a small beginning, our work has grown into a model guided by a clear purpose and long-term vision.

Mission: A world where all children and youth can learn free of cost to learn, lead and grow without fear to reach their full potential.

Vision: To empower 2 million indigenous children through quality comprehensive education

Strategy 

At KISS, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for change. But we also know that books alone aren’t enough.

That’s why our approach goes beyond the classroom. We provide nutrition, healthcare, skill-building and emotional support, designed around the lived realities of tribal communities. Our model is rooted in empathy, cultural understanding and long-term impact.

Our work is guided by a commitment to inclusion, dignity, and respect for Indigenous identity. We align closely with national and global frameworks such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that our approach remains both locally grounded and globally relevant. Long before holistic education became a national priority, KISS had already been practicing it, driven by the vision of our founder and the resilience of our students

Etymology

The idea of KISS is deeply rooted in the history and spirit of the land it belongs to. The name KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, is steeped in meaning. “Kalinga” honours the ancient kingdom located in today’s Odisha, a land known for its rich heritage, learning, and transformation. The Kalinga War, which inspired Emperor Ashoka to embrace peace, continues to inspire our path of non-violence and compassion.
“Social Sciences” reflects our commitment to community development and indigenous empowerment through education. What started with just 125 students is now a global model of social innovation.
And then there’s the name itself – KISS. It’s a name full of heart. It signals a fresh start, a new life for each child who walks through our doors.
The letter “K” also carries personal meaning for our founder, Dr. Achyuta Samanta. It has been his lucky charm – present in everything from his birthplace to his life’s work – and now it symbolizes the success and spirit of our journey.
Together, KISS stands for a commitment to eradicating poverty, hunger, and illiteracy, one child at a time.

What Makes KISS Unique 

At KISS, we walk alongside Indigenous communities in their pursuit of knowledge, cultural pride, and collective well-being. Our approach is built on mutual respect, deep listening, and the understanding that Indigenous children and youth are not just students, but future leaders, knowledge-keepers, and changemakers in their own right.

A Community-Based, Fully Free Residential Model

KISS provides education, nutrition, accommodation and healthcare to thousands of Indigenous students from Class I to doctoral level at no cost, all within a safe, inclusive and culturally rooted environment. This support allows students and their families to pursue education without economic or logistical barriers, while remaining connected to their identities.

Holistic Education That Respects Roots and Builds Future

Education at KISS isn’t just about academic success – it’s about nurturing dignity, confidence, and cultural awareness. Our students learn life skills, leadership, and emotional intelligence alongside science, math, and the arts. Many go on to serve their communities, drawing strength from both traditional and modern knowledge systems.

The World’s Largest University Dedicated to Indigenous Knowledge

KISS Deemed University is the largest university globally with a focus solely on Indigenous communities. It places Indigenous students at the center – as researchers, scholars, and authors of their own stories. Courses span tribal philosophy, governance, heritage, and sustainable development, contributing to a new generation of culturally grounded Indigenous academics and leaders.

Mother Tongue based Multi-Lingual Education

Language is identity, and we honour that. Our Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) approach supports early education in students’ native languages while gradually building fluency in Odia, Hindi and English. This inclusive method has improved confidence, comprehension, and academic performance. In 2022, our work received the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize.

Global Recognition of a Locally Rooted Model

KISS has been acknowledged by several UN agencies and international platforms for its community-led, rights-based approach to inclusive education. We’ve even been featured in the Limca and Guinness Book of Records for our reach and innovation, but what matters most to us is the trust we’ve built with the communities we serve.

Learner-Centered Classrooms With High Retention

Classrooms at KISS are inclusive spaces where diversity is celebrated and each learner can grow at their own pace. Education here is a shared journey, co-created by students and educators. Our dropout rate is virtually zero because students feel seen, respected and supported.

Advancing Gender Equality through Education

Nearly 70% of our students are girls. KISS actively nurtures leadership among tribal girls and young women, many of whom go on to become engineers, doctors, athletes, public servants, entrepreneurs and educators, among other diverse professions.

At the same time, we recognise that achieving gender equality requires active, collective engagement. Through our educational environment, boys and young men are encouraged to practice respect, empathy and equity, helping build more inclusive communities.

Safe Spaces for Children From Conflict-Affected Regions

KISS offers a stable, caring educational environment for children from regions affected by conflict and displacement. Many of our students have lived through instability, and choose education as a path of peace, healing, and self-determination. We honour their resilience and walk beside them in their journeys.

Extended Support to Marginalised Children in Need

Through the KISS Foundation, we extend support beyond our core programmes to communities in need, reaching vulnerable groups including underserved families, the elderly, orphaned children and even animals with care and dignity.

In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters like Cyclone Fani, we have mobilised our resources and staff to provide relief to affected communities, including hot meals for stranded migrant labourers and support for monks and Tibetan communities in Odisha.

This reflects our enduring commitment to solidarity and shared humanity, standing with those in need not only in moments of crisis, but every day.

Sports as a Pathway to Excellence and Empowerment

At KISS, sport is not just an activity; it is a powerful pathway to discipline, confidence and opportunity. Together with KIIT, we have nurtured a remarkable number of athletes who go on to represent India at national and international levels.

Through structured training, mentorship and competitive exposure, students are able to discover their potential, build resilience, discipline and the confidence to excel both in sport and in life.

Sustained Community Engagement with Indigenous Communities

KISS works closely with Indigenous communities, building relationships rooted in trust, respect and cultural understanding. Our engagement extends beyond the campus, through outreach, dialogue and continued connection with families and local contexts.

By staying grounded in the communities we serve, we ensure that our work remains relevant, respectful and responsive to their evolving needs.

A Thriving Alumni Network Leading from Within

KISS alumni are making meaningful contributions across sectors as civil servants, entrepreneurs, athletes, researchers and community leaders, among others. They remain deeply rooted in their cultures while engaging with the world around them.

Many alumni stay closely connected to their communities, creating a ripple effect of change by mentoring, supporting and inspiring the next generation. Their journeys are not just individual success stories; they are part of a larger cycle of growth, where each generation lifts the next.

Every story here is made possible by collective effort. Join us in building a more inclusive future.