ISPP’s flagship programme in Public Policy, Design & Management for candidates interested in making an impact in the public policy sphere.
Date: Starts from 28 July 2025
Duration: 1 year
Location: On Campus
Format: Full Time
Total Programme Fees: ₹8,40,000 (+18% GST)
Apply before 31st Dec 2025 to get a ₹25,000 discount
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
ISPP’s admissions process seeks scholars with academic excellence and community engagement, aiming to identify change-driven individuals. Our approach to admissions is holistic, in-depth, and looks for interest, aptitude and intent in the applicant.
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The Online Application can be completed over multiple sessions, and applicants shall have the option to progressively save parts of their application as they progress and requires following information:
In addition to the above information, applicants are also required to upload scanned copies of the following enclosures in their Admissions Application:
A candidate cannot apply more than once in an entire admissions cycle. Duplicate applications are not considered and might lead to termination of an applicant’s candidature. Please contact the ISPP Admissions Office at [email protected] if you require to make any corrections in your application
Decisions of the ISPP Admissions Office are final and non-negotiable, and no request for re-evaluation of any application shall be considered
Designed on skills, ethics and leadership to master theory and practice. The curriculum integrates classroom learning, skill building, application and leadership and management training consisting of foundation, core and supporting courses.
Our approach to admissions is holistic, in-depth, and looks for interest, aptitude and intent in the applicant.
Designed on skills, ethics and leadership to nurture masters of theory and practice, with the objective of impacting change.
We offer assistantships to students based on their financial need. Learn about assistantships and financial support available.
We offer assistantship to scholars based on their financial need. Learn about assistantship and financial support available.
ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management has a Total Programme Fee of ₹8,40,000 (+18% GST) for the 2024-25 Academic Year.
The detailed fee structure is as under:
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Programme Tuition Fee is payable in instalments, details of which are shared with the Admissions Offer.
Fee Refunds, as per the policy shared with the Admissions Offer, will only be made till 15 days after the commencement of the academic year at ISPP. No requests for fee refunds will be entertained should a scholar choose to withdraw their enrolment 15 days after the commencement of the academic year at ISPP.
Two options will be available for offer holders for the fee payment:
Fee payments need to be made within the prescribed time mentioned in the payment schedule sent in the offer letter.
ISPP is committed to fostering inclusivity and strives to provide optimal Assistantship opportunities for deserving applicants, facilitating their participation in PDM. Assistantships are awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Depending on the extent of the assistantship granted, scholars are expected to contribute a specific number of hours per week to collaborative projects within the ISPP team. This structure mirrors the teaching or research assistantship models commonly found in universities. At ISPP, these roles may encompass communication, event management, and other responsibilities tailored to the scholar’s skills and the Institute’s requirements.
The Assistantship Application Form is available at the ISPP Application Portal along with the Programme Application and is to be filed voluntarily if an applicant wishes to apply for Assistantship.
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ISPP Assistantship Form requires applicants to self-report their financial situation with details of:
The Assistantship Form requires an applicant to upload the following Compulsory Enclosures:
The Assistantship Form requires an applicant to upload the following Supporting Enclosures, in case any information related to them is mentioned in the Assistantship Application Form:
ISPP Admissions Office provides assistance to applicants in securing Education Loans to fund their education at ISPP. If you want to apply for an Education Loan, connect with us at [email protected] or call any representative of the ISPP Admissions Office.
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Most nationalized banks and lending institutions offer an Education Loan. In addition, the IDFC First Bank, HDFC Credila and Axis Bank offer Education Loan to ISPP Scholars. If you want to get in touch with these three banks, please send us an email authorization to share your contact details and particulars with them.
As part of our ongoing efforts to provide more flexibility in fee payment to our enrolled students, ISPP has partnered with GrayQuest, an education finance company specializing in student EMI options. This option allows students to choose EMI option for fee payments, providing them with greater financial flexibility.
Students discover job opportunities in domains like Government, NGOs, Think Tanks, Academia, Public and Industry Bodies, receive assistance with off-campus opportunities, and interviews.
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.
What will be the ISPP Postgraduate Programme Class Size?
ISPP is a growing institution working to provide premier public policy education in India to all interested applicants. However, we are restricted by resources and are able to accommodate only a limited number of interested applicants.
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 placements and career support to its Postgraduate Programme scholars?
ISPP’s ‘3-Es towards Employment’ help scholars leverage their varied skill-sets and domain expertise, enabling them to pursue careers of their choice. In the last three cohorts, our scholars have been placed at E&Y India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, SBI Foundation, The Economist Intelligence Unit, and LAMP Fellowship, among others. Some of our scholars, who wished to pursue their studies further, are now at the best global universities such as Oxford University, Georgia Tech, and University of Amsterdam, with the support, guidance and recommendations from ISPP’s prominent faculty members
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.
Is there any Application Fee for admission to ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
No, ISPP does not charge any fee to submit an admission application to any of its programmes.
As a democratic institution, we understand that our applicants come from diverse financial backgrounds. We provide access to a free admissions application to encourage every interested candidate to study at ISPP.
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:
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:
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.
What is the Fee Structure for the ISPP Postgraduate Programme?
For the upcoming academic year, ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management is offered at a total programme fee of ₹8,40,000 (+18% GST). More details about the various components of the programme fee can be found above under the ‘Fee Structure’ section.
Is the ISPP Postgraduate Programme an expensive Public Policy Programme?
When compared with Indian and global public policy programmes of similar repute, ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme Fee is on the lower end of the spectrum. In addition to this, ISPP assists its incoming scholars in securing Financial Loans and offers Financial Aid to outstanding candidates who need support to fund their studies.
Are there any financing options to fund my studies at ISPP?
Most nationalized banks and lending institutions offer an Education Loan to ISPP Scholars. In addition, IDFC First Bank, HDFC Credila and Axis Bank offer Education Loan to ISPP Scholars.
ISPP has partnered with GrayQuest, an education finance company specializing in student EMI options. This option allows students to choose EMI option for fee payments, providing them with greater financial flexibility.
You can find detailed information about Financing Options for the ISPP Postgraduate Programme in the ‘Education Loan’ section above.
How can I make the fee payment if I am offered admission at ISPP?
Fees can be paid through payment gateway available on applicant’s dashboard using any of the following modes convenient to the offer holders: Wire Transfer (IMPS, NEFT or RTGS), Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, Cheque or Demand Draft.
Any additional transaction charges incurred by the payment gateway to process the fee payments are to be borne by the applicants, over and above the fee being paid to ISPP.
The applicants should note that the payment must be received in ISPP’s Bank Account, latest by office hours of the payment deadline.
No fee payments shall be accepted by cash, under any circumstances. We do not collect fees on campus.
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