Programme Overview
Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management is ISPP's flagship programme for citizens interested in making an impact in the public policy sphere. The one-year programme trains individuals in the science of policymaking by taking them through a rigorous programme divided into seven terms of 7 weeks each.
The exercise of the programme involves scholars working on a Capstone Exercise to solve a contemporary policy challenge through original policy solutions. In addition to the academic training, ISPP PDM Programme offers various networking opportunities, access to professional forums, and careers and placement support.
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7 academic terms of 7 weeks each
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Taught by world-class faculty and policy professionals
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Extensive collaborations with industry and government
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Only public policy programme with a focus on design thinking and management.
Programme Highlights
The programme provides an in-depth understanding of public policy and equips students with design and management precepts, with the objective to develop better systems thinkers and policy executives. Students will learn not only about public policy analysis and the development of policy, but also the integration of practical concerns of finance, capabilities and ethics. Best practices of implementation, management and assessment, across the domains of public administration and public policy are a key focus of the programme pedagogy.
Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago offers ISPP scholars a Certificate in International Development and Public Policy upon successful completion, through a series of workshops and lectures, held at ISPP and conducted by faculty, practitioners and other experts associated with the University of Chicago.
In the past years, the lecture series hosted highly esteemed professors and alumni of the University of Chicago including Michael Greenstone (Director of the Becker Friedman Institute), John Mark Hansen (Charles L. Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Political Science), Marvin Zonis (Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at the Booth School of Business) and Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer (Professor of Economics at the Harris School of Public Policy)
Immersive Learning Projects (ILPs) are high impact and unique learning experiences for scholars at ISPP to collaborate on real time projects guided by project leads from client organisations. ILP is a great way to provide the scholars a platform to completely immerse in live projects related to public policy that enables learning by doing. In the past few years, ISPP Scholars have attended ILPs at E&Y, Sattva, NITI Aayog, and Population Foundation of India, among others.
1. Writing and Communication Lab : Engaging public policy stakeholders requires a sound understanding of the policy landscape, skills to conduct research, write scientifically, and the ability to repurpose scientific writing into communication formats that suit stakeholders. The Writing and Communication Lab at ISPP offers apprentice-style training to develop scholars' verbal, non-verbal and writing skills to effectively communicate in development, corporate, and academic settings. The Lab also works closely with the Careers team to support students’ career development needs.
2. Writing and Communication Lab : Engaging public policy stakeholders requires a sound understanding of the policy landscape, skills to conduct research, write scientifically, and the ability to repurpose scientific writing into communication formats that suit stakeholders. The Writing and Communication Lab at ISPP offers apprentice-style training to develop scholars' verbal, non-verbal and writing skills to effectively communicate in development, corporate, and academic settings. The Lab also works closely with the Careers team to support students’ career development needs.
3. Policy Praxis Lab (PPL) : Public policy governs every action one takes as well as the outcomes of these actions. The Policy Praxis Lab will train one to understand why and how to make public policy work for the public. The lab explores a range of policy-related questions: How should markets be organised? What is health policy? How does public policy handle the diverse interests of people? How do we find out these diverse interests? How do we make people agree on a common set of choices, allowing them to choose differently from the same set? Through a series of policy exercises characterised by curiosity and empathy, through thought experiments as well as real life experiences of successful and unsuccessful policy interventions, scholars will be trained to master the science and art of ethical policy objectives.
4. Policy Parallax : Policy Parallax is a monthly discussion group that brings unconventional, out-of-the-box, quirky perspectives and analytical frameworks to bear on some of the most wicked public policy problems. The purpose is to expand the universe of possible alternatives and extend one's range of curiosity by bringing radically different viewpoints to the discussion.
ISPP trains its scholars to be leaders for policy action by training them rigorously in management, communication, and leadership skills. ISPP has its dedicated Careers Support Cell which assists each scholar to explore prospective career pathways and towards enabling career opportunities of the scholar’s choice. At ISPP, we have designed our own career support process - The Three Es towards Employment - to competently leverage on the varied skill sets and domain expertise that our scholars offer.
The ‘Tea and Policy’ session is a unique initiative where we invite public policy professionals from a diverse range of industry backgrounds to engage with our scholars. These events are structured to be free flowing discussions which not only provide the scholars with an avenue to network with industry leaders but also gives them an insight into the day-to-day workings of a policy professional.
A few policy professionals who have engaged with our scholars include Aman Jain (Google), Priti Srivastava (Reliance Industries), Rajesh Chadha (Brookings), Anu Madgavkar (McKinsey), Nirat Bhatnagar (Dalberg), Ranen Banerjee (PwC), etc.
1-YEAR PROGRAMME IN PUBLIC POLICY, DESIGN & MANAGEMENT
Admissions Open for Class of 2023
Application Process at ISPP
ISPP's year-long programme in Public Policy, Design & Management is open to any individual who holds an undergraduate degree from Indian/foreign universities, regardless of discipline. While work experience in relevant domains is preferred, exceptional candidates without any formal experience would be considered. Numerical and language proficiency are desired qualifications in a successful applicant.
To apply, applicants must register first and complete ISPP's admissions form after receiving a customised username and password.
The PDM programme has a rigorous 2-stage selection process that the shortlisted applicants need to qualify to secure admission.
Group Discussion (GD)
The shortlisted applicants are called for a round of group discussion. The group discussion is conducted on a particular policy topic that is
announced at the start of the discussion. Four-five applicants participate in each group discussion and the session lasts for an hour.
The group analyzes and discusses the given policy topic. The GD participants are judged on the following parameters:
a. Critical thinking and analysis skills
b. Ability to clearly articulate ideas
c. Ability to engage in an informed debate
d. General Conduct
Quantitative Aptitude Test The PDM programme includes courses that require quantitative aptitude. To establish their fitness for the programme, the shortlisted applicants are required to undertake a quantitative aptitude test on the ISPP Admissions Portal. They have to attempt the test after their GD (preferably on the same day). The test consists of 12 questions that the applicants must solve in 45 mins. The tests are not proctored. The test will have questions on the following topics: slopes, coordinate geometry, mensuration, linear equations with two variables and set theory. Applicants who secure more than 50 percent will be eligible for the next stage of PDM selection process provided they clear the GD round. In case they clear the GD round but are not able to attempt the quant test or are not able to secure qualifying marks, they will be given a chance to attempt the quant test after the interview provided they clear the interview round.
Personal Interview (PI)
The applicants who clear the first stage of the PDM selection process will be called for a round of personal interviews.
The interview panelists would hold individual interactions with the applicants to evaluate their interest in public policy, future plans and fitness
for the PDM programme. Unlike GD, the interview panelists will give their recommendations for admission rather than scoring them on different parameters.
Only those applicants who are recommended for admission will be offered admission to the PDM programme. Those candidates who have cleared the interview
round but have not attempted or scored qualifying marks in the quant test will be given a conditional offer of admission. Only once they clear the quant
test will they be eligible for the final admission offer.
The selection process is depicted in the flowchart below:
ISPP admission offer shall be made to successful candidates who have qualified all stages of the Selection Process. The offer communication shall be made to such successful candidates within 7 days of the last selection exercise in the round. For each offer holder, their respective programme fee details (and applicable taxes) with payment timeline, including admissions fee, security deposit and tuition fee Installments shall be shared as a part of the offer.
Career Support
ISPP aspires to create a cadre of policy leaders who undergo a comprehensive academic programme in public policy, along with rigorous training in management, communication and leadership skills. Our support system for career growth covers a comprehensive set of resume building and interview training sessions, with the aim of preparing the scholars to go from being ‘interview-ready’ to ‘industry-ready.
ISPP has a dedicated careers team working with each scholar to explore prospective career pathways and towards enabling career opportunities of the scholar’s areas of interest. Our academic curriculum and career support system for professional and personal growth gave ISPP scholars an opportunity to work in reputed organisations.
2021 Placements Stats
Financial Aid Process
ISPP’s tuition fee for the class of 2023 academic year is INR 800,000 (exclusive of GST).
Our financial grants and bursaries support outstanding candidates with demonstrated excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
Candidates may apply for a scholarship during the application process itself. ISPP also provides assistance in securing educational loans. For more information please read our brochure.
Kindly note, any decision made by ISPP’s financial aid committee is final, binding, and non-negotiable.
Step 1
Applicants self-report their financial situation along with the supporting documents in the financial-aid form available in their respective application account.
Step 2
The financial aid application has to be submitted along with the application form. In case the financial aid application is submitted after the deadline of the admission round in which the applicant has applied, it will not be taken into consideration.
Step 3
The information and the supporting documents submitted by applicants in the financial-aid form is thoroughly reviewed by the Financial-Aid Committee. The Committee may seek additional information and supporting documents from applicants, if required.
Step 4
The Financial-Aid Committee assesses the financial-aid applications of applicants and makes a decision.
The financial-aid decision is made on the basis of applicants’ adjusted household income that takes into account the income of all the members of their households, fixed assets, financial assets, financial liabilities and any other significant expense currently incurred by their households. Applicants should ensure that the information provided by them for financial-aid is true and accurate and is backed up by supporting documents.
Please note: All the decisions of the financial-aid committee are non-negotiable. The committee & the institution reserve the right to conduct background verification checks for any candidate at any time before the admission process and/or during the academic year. ISPP also reserves the right to withdraw or modify the financial-aid with change in financial circumstances of the applicant.