Made in Humane Club
Post Graduate Programme
ISPP’s flagship programme in Public Policy, Design & Management for candidates interested in making an impact in the public policy sphere.
Admissions to ISPP’s PDM 2026 Batch Are Now Closed
We are delighted to share that admissions for the Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy, Design & Management (PDM) 2026 have officially closed ahead of schedule. This marks a significant milestone in ISPP’s journey—reflecting the growing confidence that aspiring public policy professionals place in us.
If you’re keen to be part of the transformative ISPP experience, we invite you to express your interest for the PDM 2027 batch by writing to [email protected].
Programme Highlights
The programme provides an in-depth understanding of public policy and formulation to equips students with design and management precepts, with the objective to develop better systems thinkers and policy executives.
HARRIS UCHICAGO: CREDENTIAL IN PUBLIC POLICY
Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago offers ISPP scholars a Credential In Public Policy and International Development 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 ENGAGEMENT
Immersive Learning Engagement (ILE) are high impact and unique learning experiences for scholars at ISPP to collaborate on real time projects guided by project leads from client organisations. ILE is a great way to provide the scholars a platform to completely immerse in live projects related to public policy in India that enables learning by doing. In the past few years, ISPP Scholars have attended ILE at E&Y, Sattva, NITI Aayog, and Population Foundation of India, among others.
INTERACTIVE LABS
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. Antarang Leadership Lab (ALL): The Antarang Leadership Lab (ALL) is an experiential lab. Antarang means ‘intimate’ and the lab is meant to create a comfortable space where scholars can have conversations amongst friends on issues that are relevant to their personal development as leaders. ALL gives our scholars hands-on, practical experience to build their leadership skills to help them both at ISPP and when they start working. ALL aims to make our scholars more aware of themselves and their surroundings.
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 Case Consulting Workshop: Policy Case Consulting Workshop combines the concepts and ideas covered in the courses to analyse and train for case study interviews. The sessions blend discussions and lectures that offer theoretical and practical frameworks for case study analysis complemented by training in data skills.
5. Quant Lab: The Quant Lab equips scholars with data-handling tools in Excel. This includes data analysis and data visualisation. Scholars will learn how to clean the data, present it in a meaningful manner, handle qualitative and quantitative variables, make samples, test hypotheses, run regressions etc.
TEA & POLICY
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
Office of Career Services (OCS)
Students discover job opportunities in domains like Government, NGOs, Think Tanks, Academia, Public and Industry Bodies, receive assistance with off-campus opportunities, and interviews.
FAQs
Why should I study ISPP Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management?
The one-year programme trains individuals in the science of policy formulation and policy making by taking them through a rigorous programme divided into seven terms of 7 weeks each. The penultimate 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.
What is the structure of the ISPP Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management?
ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme integrates diverse dimensions of Public Policy Education with an up-to-date curriculum and training in line with the best policy programmes offered across the globe.
Capacity, flexibility and innovativeness are the three key factors in the design of our PG programme. We ensure you attend the right courses, clubbed with the ever-evolving practical knowledge sessions.
Offered as the finest combination of compulsory courses, workshops, labs and collaborative certificates, ISPP brings forth the best resource persons, policy veterans and field experts to deliver one of the most innovative curriculums to its scholars. Throughout your time at ISPP, we will work to align your skills and make you industry-ready from an employer’s perspective.
Why is ISPP Postgraduate Programme offered as a one-year programme, and not as a two-year programme?
One-year duration of our Postgraduate Programme is what gives the ISPP education an edge over the traditional master’s degrees. In this one year of intensive training at ISPP, we cover all key aspects of policy education, including design thinking and management.
Compared to a conventional two-year master’s programme, ISPP scholars spend less time studying, enter their choice of career earlier, and spend higher time solving real world challenges. With that being said, it is important to note that the programme is rigorous, demanding and intensive for its scholars.
Is the ISPP Public Policy Programme Programme a residential programme?
No, the ISPP Postgraduate Public Policy Programme in India is a non-residential programme. ISPP does not provide any residential facilities on its campus.
Since most ISPP scholars are outstation candidates, the ISPP Admissions Team assists them in finding accommodation by sharing recommendations, experiences from past scholars etc. However, ISPP does take any responsibility for the price, contract or quality of services provided by the residential facility that the scholars may choose. Each scholar shall sign an individual and independent contract with their agreed residential facility.
In case more than 10-15 scholars choose to stay in one residential facility or neighborhood, ISPP also provides a shuttle service to campus and back on nominal charges.
Does ISPP provide career support to its Postgraduate Programme scholars?
ISPP’s ‘3-Es towards Employment’ framework enables scholars to align their diverse skill sets and domain interests with purposeful career opportunities. Through the dedicated support of the Office of Career Services (OCS), combined with mentorship from faculty and access to a wide professional network, scholars receive tailored guidance as they chart their career paths. Over the past three cohorts, ISPP scholars have been placed in organisations such as EY India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, SBI Foundation, The Economist Intelligence Unit, and the LAMP Fellowship. For those pursuing further studies, many have secured admissions to globally reputed institutions like Oxford University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Amsterdam — supported by strong recommendations and mentorship from ISPP’s distinguished faculty.
Who is eligible to apply for the ISPP PG Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management?
The eligibility criteria for the Post Graduate Programme at ISPP are designed to attract candidates who demonstrate a clear and purposeful commitment to engaging in public policy. The Post Graduate Programme at ISPP welcomes applications from both graduates and working professionals. We place significant emphasis on evaluating candidates based on their prior experiences in work, be it full-time positions, contractual engagements, internships, or volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, applicants are assessed on their depth of understanding in a thematic area and its broader policy implications. Graduates and working professionals who fulfill these criteria are encouraged to apply, as we believe their diverse perspectives will enhance the overall educational experience of the programme.
If the medium of instruction in my institution was other than English, am I still eligible for the programme?
Yes, irrespective of the medium of instruction in your matriculation, intermediate or graduation, you are eligible to apply for ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme. However, we expect a certain level of proficiency of English language in our scholars so that they are able to converse, read and write in English, given that the medium of instruction for the ISPP Postgraduate Programme is English.
Additionally, we also have a Policy Writing and Communications Lab at ISPP which works closely with our scholars to help them improve their writing and communication skills.
What are the ISPP Postgraduate Programme Application Deadlines?
Admissions for ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management are conducted on rolling basis. There is no fixed deadline, and applications will be accepted until seats are full. We encourage you to apply at the earliest to secure your spot in the upcoming cohort.
Are there any key points one must carefully address in their Admission Application to the ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
We strongly advise that you complete all sections of your Admissions Application in English language with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. You must upload all necessary documents as clear scanned copies, the text and information on which is readable by the Selection Committee.
While writing the statement of purpose, please focus on: what public policy means to you, how are your academic and professional experiences built into your public policy interests, your career plan in public policy and your motivation to apply to ISPP.
You can find elaborate details on submitting an admissions application to ISPP under the section ‘Application Process’ on this page above.
What are the documents I will need to complete my Admissions Application to ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
You will need access to the following documents to complete your Admissions Application to ISPP Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management:
- Scanned PDF of Identification Certificate, preferably Aadhaar
- Scanned PDFs of Class XII (Intermediate) Certificate and Marksheet
- Scanned PDFs of Graduation Degree and Transcripts clearly mentioning all subjects and courses studied
- Scanned PDFs of Any Other Qualifications’ Degree and Transcripts
Please upload readable scans of all above documents, since they will be referred to by the ISPP Selection Committee during the Admission Process.
Do I need to complete the Online Admissions Application within one session?
No, you can complete the Online Admissions Application over multiple sessions and have the option to save parts of the application as you proceed. However, the Online Aptitude Test must be completed in one sitting.
What should I do if I have submitted incorrect information or documents in my application?
In case you have submitted any incorrect information or documents by error, please contact the ISPP Admissions Office immediately at [email protected] for necessary corrections. Do not submit another application, as it may lead to the termination of your candidature.
How will I know if my Admissions Application has been submitted to ISPP?
You will receive an automated email from ISPP Admissions Portal, once your application is submitted. In case you have submitted your application but have not received the confirmation email, please get in touch with immediately at [email protected] to resolve your concern.
What is the Selection Process to the ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
ISPP admits scholars to its Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management through a 3-Stage Selection Process, which includes application shortlisting, an Online Aptitude Test followed by a Personal Interview Round. Every phase of the selection process serves as an elimination round. Only shortlisted applicants are invited to the subsequent stages of the selection process. You can find detailed information on the Selection Process above, under the ‘Selection Process’ section.
How does ISPP conduct its selection process: Online or Offline?
The application and selection process to ISPP is completely online: starting with an online application submitted using the ISPP Admissions Portal listed on ISPP Website, followed by an Online Aptitude Test attempted on the same ISPP Admissions Portal, to the Personal Interview Round conducted on Zoom Virtual Platform. Shortlisted candidates living in and around Delhi NCR are invited for in-person interviews at our campus.
How and when will I know if I have been selected to the ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
In case you have been successful in the selection process at ISPP, you shall receive an Admission Offer within 7-10 working days of the last selection exercise of the respective round, as an email communication listing:
- Guidelines for Offer Acceptance
- Fee Payment Guidelines, Refund Policy and Late Payment Charges
- Programme Commencement and Reporting Dates
Can I reapply if I have not been selected to the ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
Yes, you can re-apply but not within the same academic year. You will have to submit a fresh application in the following year.
Latest blogs
Exploring and dissecting the complexities of public policy, offering insights and analysis from leading experts and voices in the field.
