PDM Admissions - Indian School of Public Policy PDM Admissions | Indian School of Public Policy Humane ClubMade with Humane Club

Admissions: Post Graduate Programme

ISPP’s admissions process seeks scholars with academic excellence and community engagement, aiming to identify change-driven individuals.

Block Pattern: Regular

1. Admissions Timeline

ISPP conducts admissions for its PG Programme in Public Policy, Design & Management in three admission rounds. However, the conduct of the second and third admission rounds is subject to the availability of seats.

The ISPP Admissions Office advises all applicants to submit their applications as early as possible. Scholars who enrol for the PG Programme in the early round(s) get an opportunity to be awarded merit scholarships subject to available grants, subject readings and masterclasses for advance academic preparation, and access to special guest lectures and networking opportunities held at ISPP, all of them much prior to the actual start of their programme in August.

2. Eligibility for Admission

  • ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management is open for candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies, regardless of discipline, from an Indian or International University.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled in the final year of their undergraduate studies are also eligible to apply; however, they must ensure that they successfully complete all requirements of their undergraduate studies before the commencement of the PG Programme at ISPP.
  • We prefer to admit scholars with prior work experience in relevant domains; however, the work experience requirement is not mandatory for exceptional candidates.
  • Applicants are not expected to possess any prior specific skills, background or technical experience other than numerical literacy and language proficiency.
  • Our unique multidimensional selection process takes a close look at the curricular and extracurricular activities undertaken by applicants in order to evaluate their excellence and commitment.
  • An individual’s ability to work collaboratively, aptitude for leadership, communication skills, humility and adaptability are some of the key characteristics of an ideal ISPP Scholar.

3. Application Process

Applicants can register online with the ISPP Admissions Portal using their basic credentials. We recommend using a personal email address at the time of registration, and not a school or office-affiliated email. All communication from ISPP will be sent only to the email address entered at the time of registration by the applicant.

Upon receipt of their unique username and password combination from ISPP over email, they need to login using these received credentials at the ISPP Admissions Portal, and subsequently fill out the Online Admissions Application Form, with necessary attachments.

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:

  • Personal Details: Name; Date of Birth, Gender; Government ID Details
  • Contact Informaton: postal address, Nearest Metropolitan, Contact Number, Alternate Contact Number, Email
  • Academic Credentials: Intermediate, Graduation; other qualifications such as Masters and PhD, if applicable
  • Professional Experience: total work experience; current / last organization details, current / Last designation at workplace
  • Statement of Purpose: to be written in English with a minimum of 150 words and maximum of 750 words, explaining: why you want to attend a public policy programme, how do you place a public policy programme in your career track and why do you want to study the PG programme at ISPP

In addition to the above information, applicants are also required to upload scanned copies of the following enclosures in their Admissions Application:

  • Photograph
  • Identification Certificate
  • Intermediate Certificate and marksheet
  • Graduation Degree and Transcripts
  • Qualification degree and Transcripts

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 admissions@ispp.org.in 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

4. Selection Process

ISPP’s selection process is designed to select outstanding and versatile candidates who reflect the values and ethos of ISPP. The selection is based purely on the merit of the applicants, and no recommendations are entertained by the Admissions Office.

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 GD participants are judged on critical thinking, analysis skills,, ability to clearly articulate ideas, ability to engage in an informed debate and general conduct.

Personal Interview (PI): The applicants who clear the first stage 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.

5. Fee Structure

ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management has a Total Programme Fee of ₹8,00,000 (+18% GST) for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

The detailed fee structure is as under:

  • Admission Fee: ₹1,00,000 (+18% GST) to be deposited at the time of Acceptance of Admissions Offer
  • Tuition Fee: ₹7,00,000 (+18% GST) to be deposited before the commencement of the programme
  • Security Deposit: ₹20,000 (Refundable upon Programme Completion)

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.

6. Payment Plan

Two options will be available for offer holders for the fee payment:

  • Pay entire tuition fee payment in one go (lump-sum). Those making the lump-sum payment will get a 10% discount on tuition fees of 7 lakhs plus GST.
  • Pay the tuition fees in two equal installments. They will not receive any discount in this case.

Fee payments need to be made within the prescribed time mentioned in the payment schedule sent in the offer letter.

7. Financial Aid

ISPP strives to be an inclusive institution and supports deserving applicants by offering merit-cum-means financial aid to applicants based on academic merit and financial need.

ISPP Financial Aid Form requires applicants to self-report their financial situation and upload supporting documents. Financial Aid Application has to be submitted along with the Admissions Application, before the respective round deadline.

The Financial Aid Office may connect with the applicant to understand the submitted information and may ask to furnish any additional information or documents.

Financial Aid Applicants receive their Financial Aid Result along with their Admission Result. In case the financial documents submitted by an applicant are still under review by the Financial Aid Office, their Financial Aid decision may be withheld until such review is completed.

Financial Aid Application Form is available on the ISPP Admissions Portal after the submission of an Admissions Application, and is to be filed voluntarily if an applicant wishes to apply for Financial Aid

All decisions of the ISPP Admissions Office with respect to a Financial Aid Application are non-negotiable. ISPP reserves the right to conduct background verification checks for any applicant at any time during the admissions process or during the academic year, and the right to withdraw or modify the financial-aid with a change in financial circumstances of the applicant.

8. Education Loan

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 admissions@ispp.org.in or call any representative of the ISPP Admissions Office.

Most nationalized banks and lending institutions offer an Education Loan. In addition, the IDFC First Bank offers Education Loan to ISPP Scholars. If you want the IDFC First Team to directly get in touch with you, please send us an email authorization to share your contact details and particulars with them.

Block Pattern: Slide

2. Eligibility for Admission

  • ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management is open for candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies, regardless of discipline, from an Indian or International University.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled in the final year of their undergraduate studies are also eligible to apply; however, they must ensure that they successfully complete all requirements of their undergraduate studies before the commencement of the PG Programme at ISPP.
  • We prefer to admit scholars with prior work experience in relevant domains; however, the work experience requirement is not mandatory for exceptional candidates.
  • Applicants are not expected to possess any prior specific skills, background or technical experience other than numerical literacy and language proficiency.
  • Our unique multidimensional selection process takes a close look at the curricular and extracurricular activities undertaken by applicants in order to evaluate their excellence and commitment.
  • An individual’s ability to work collaboratively, aptitude for leadership, communication skills, humility and adaptability are some of the key characteristics of an ideal ISPP Scholar.

Block Pattern: Slide

3. Application Process

Applicants can register online with the ISPP Admissions Portal using their basic credentials. We recommend using a personal email address at the time of registration, and not a school or office-affiliated email. All communication from ISPP will be sent only to the email address entered at the time of registration by the applicant.

Upon receipt of their unique username and password combination from ISPP over email, they need to login using these received credentials at the ISPP Admissions Portal, and subsequently fill out the Online Admissions Application Form, with necessary attachments.

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:

  • Personal Details: Name; Date of Birth, Gender; Government ID Details
  • Contact Informaton: postal address, Nearest Metropolitan, Contact Number, Alternate Contact Number, Email
  • Academic Credentials: Intermediate, Graduation; other qualifications such as Masters and PhD, if applicable
  • Professional Experience: total work experience; current / last organization details, current / Last designation at workplace
  • Statement of Purpose: to be written in English with a minimum of 150 words and maximum of 750 words, explaining: why you want to attend a public policy programme, how do you place a public policy programme in your career track and why do you want to study the PG programme at ISPP

In addition to the above information, applicants are also required to upload scanned copies of the following enclosures in their Admissions Application:

  • Photograph
  • Identification Certificate
  • Intermediate Certificate and marksheet
  • Graduation Degree and Transcripts
  • Qualification degree and Transcripts

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 admissions@ispp.org.in 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

Block Pattern: Slide

4. Selection Process

ISPP’s selection process is designed to select outstanding and versatile candidates who reflect the values and ethos of ISPP. The selection is based purely on the merit of the applicants, and no recommendations are entertained by the Admissions Office.

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 GD participants are judged on critical thinking, analysis skills,, ability to clearly articulate ideas, ability to engage in an informed debate and general conduct.

Personal Interview (PI): The applicants who clear the first stage 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.

Block Pattern: Slide

5. Fee Structure

ISPP’s Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management has a Total Programme Fee of ₹8,00,000 (+18% GST) for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

The detailed fee structure is as under:

  • Admission Fee: ₹1,00,000 (+18% GST) to be deposited at the time of Acceptance of Admissions Offer
  • Tuition Fee: ₹7,00,000 (+18% GST) to be deposited before the commencement of the programme
  • Security Deposit: ₹20,000 (Refundable upon Programme Completion)

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.

Block Pattern: Slide

6. Payment Plan

Two options will be available for offer holders for the fee payment:

  • Pay entire tuition fee payment in one go (lump-sum). Those making the lump-sum payment will get a 10% discount on tuition fees of 7 lakhs plus GST.
  • Pay the tuition fees in two equal installments. They will not receive any discount in this case.

Fee payments need to be made within the prescribed time mentioned in the payment schedule sent in the offer letter.

Block Pattern: Slide

7. Financial Aid

ISPP strives to be an inclusive institution and supports deserving applicants by offering merit-cum-means financial aid to applicants based on academic merit and financial need.

ISPP Financial Aid Form requires applicants to self-report their financial situation and upload supporting documents. Financial Aid Application has to be submitted along with the Admissions Application, before the respective round deadline.

The Financial Aid Office may connect with the applicant to understand the submitted information and may ask to furnish any additional information or documents.

Financial Aid Applicants receive their Financial Aid Result along with their Admission Result. In case the financial documents submitted by an applicant are still under review by the Financial Aid Office, their Financial Aid decision may be withheld until such review is completed.

Financial Aid Application Form is available on the ISPP Admissions Portal after the submission of an Admissions Application, and is to be filed voluntarily if an applicant wishes to apply for Financial Aid

All decisions of the ISPP Admissions Office with respect to a Financial Aid Application are non-negotiable. ISPP reserves the right to conduct background verification checks for any applicant at any time during the admissions process or during the academic year, and the right to withdraw or modify the financial-aid with a change in financial circumstances of the applicant.

Block Pattern: Slide

8. Education Loan

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 admissions@ispp.org.in or call any representative of the ISPP Admissions Office.

Most nationalized banks and lending institutions offer an Education Loan. In addition, the IDFC First Bank offers Education Loan to ISPP Scholars. If you want the IDFC First Team to directly get in touch with you, please send us an email authorization to share your contact details and particulars with them.

Block Pattern: Regular

ISPP PG Programme in Public Policy, Design and Management is available only to Indian nationals. ISPP reserves the right to offer and revoke admissions or scholarships for an applicant on disclosure of any concerning information or facts at any point of time.