Made with Humane Club
Post Graduate Programme
ISPP’s flagship programme in Policy, Data Management and Design for citizens interested in making an impact in the public policy sphere.
Upcoming Batch
Date: Starts from 7th August 2023
Duration: 1 year
Location: On Campus
Format: Full Time
Total Programme Fees: ₹8,00,000 (+18% GST)
- Admission fee: ₹1,00,000 (+18% GST)
- Tuition fee: ₹7,00,000 (+18% GST)
- Security deposit: ₹20,000 (refundable)
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.
HARRIS UCHICAGO: CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC POLICY
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
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.
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
Eligibility & Admissions
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.
1. Admissions Timeline
- ISPP offers three admission rounds for its PG Programme in Public Policy, Design & Management.
- The second and third rounds depend on seat availability.
- Early application is advised for opportunities like merit scholarships and advanced academic preparation.
- Enrolling early also grants access to special guest lectures and networking events before the programme starts in August.
2. Eligibility for Admission
- Eligibility: Graduates from any discipline, from Indian or International universities.
- Final-year undergraduates can apply, but must complete their degree before the PG programme starts.
- Work experience is preferred but not mandatory for outstanding candidates.
- No specific skills or technical background required, except for numerical literacy and language proficiency.
- Selection focuses on curricular and extracurricular activities to assess excellence and commitment.
- Ideal candidates demonstrate collaborative ability, leadership, communication skills, humility, and adaptability.
3. Application Process
- Applicants must register on the ISPP Admissions Portal using basic personal details.
- It’s advised to use a personal email, not a school or office email, for registration.
- All ISPP communications will be sent to the registered email address.
- After receiving a unique username and password from ISPP, applicants log in to complete the Online Admissions Application Form with required attachments.
Read more
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 [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
4. Selection Process
- The PDM programme has a two-stage selection process: Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).
- GD involves a one-hour discussion on a policy topic with 4-5 applicants, focusing on critical thinking, analysis, articulation, informed debate, and conduct.
- In PI, individual interactions assess the applicant’s interest in public policy, future plans, and suitability for the PDM programme.
- Admission recommendations are made post-PI, with conditional offers for those needing to pass a quant test for final admission.
Academics
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.
Learn more
Admissions
Our approach to admissions is holistic, in-depth, and looks for interest, aptitude and intent in the applicant.
Academics
Designed on skills, ethics and leadership to nurture masters of theory and practice, with the objective of impacting change.
Financial-aid
We offer merit-cum-means scholarships to students based on their financial need and academic merit. Learn about scholarships and financial support available.
Fee Structure
We offer merit-cum-means scholarships to students based on their financial need and academic merit. Learn about scholarships and financial support available.
1. Fee Breakdown
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)
Read more
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Read more
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.
4. 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 [email protected] or call any representative of the ISPP Admissions Office.
Read More
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.
Placements
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 policymaking 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 policy education to all interested applicants. However, we are restricted by resources and are able to accommodate only a limited number of interested applicants.
ISPP’s Class Size for its previous batch 2021-22 was 30 Scholars. Our current Class Size for batch 2022-23 is 60 Scholars. Moving forward, the incoming cohort of 2023-24 shall offer policy education to 75 Scholars.
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 Postgraduate Programme a residential programme?
No, the ISPP Postgraduate Programme 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?
Any candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies, regardless of discipline, from an Indian or International University are eligible to apply to the ISPP Postgraduate Programme. Applicants currently enrolled in the final year of their undergraduate studies are also eligible; however, they must successfully complete all requirements of their undergraduate studies before the commencement of the programme at ISPP. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found on this page above, under the ‘Eligibility for Admission’ section.
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 in three rounds. You can find exact dates and deadlines for application submission, financial aid application, admission decision, offer acceptance and commencement of classes on this page above, under the ‘Admissions Timeline’ section.
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:
- Scanned or Digital JPG Copy of Photograph
- 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 2-Part Selection Process, which includes an ‘Online Aptitude Test’ followed by a ‘Policy Immersion Session’ in a GD-PI Format. Only shortlisted applicants, based on the information furnished in the Admissions Application are invited to 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 Policy Immersion Sessions conducted on Zoom Virtual Platform.
In case if government regulations permit, ISPP at its discretion may offer applicants the option to attempt the Policy Immersion Session from a physical venue.
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 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.
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 ₹8,00,000 (+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, the IDFC First Bank offers Education Loan to ISPP Scholars.
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 using any account-to-account transfer method convenient to the offer holders: Wire Transfer (IMPS, NEFT or RTGS), Cheque or Demand Draft.
Any additional transaction charges incurred by the bank 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.
