Students studying in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) come from tribal families who are much below Poverty Line. Girls and children belonging to Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) are given preference at the time of admission, as per the admission policy of KISS.   

A large number of tribal children from different districts of Odisha are recommended for admission by District Magistrates (DM), Superintendents of Police (SP), Non Government Organisations (NGO), People's Representatives (Member of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly) and Corporate Bodies of the respective districts. In addition, a dedicated group of officials of KISS visits various tribal areas of the State to select most neglected and needy children.

In this way, KISS gets 30,000 to 40,000 applications per year for admission. After rigorous scrutiny KISS takes 2000 to 3000 students out of them.

In Class XII Arts, Science and Commerce streams, +3 Arts, Science and Commerce streams and Postgraduate courses tribal children belonging to families Below Poverty Line from neighbouring states are also allowed for admission.