Made in Humane Club
Public Policy careers that put you at the heart of India’s development
Have you ever wondered who decides as to how a city grows, how schools operate, and how new technologies reach millions of Indians in a span of seconds?
All these questions are related to the domain of public policy. Public policy experts answer these questions and help translate vision into action. From healthcare to climate change, these experts solve problems and make life easier for citizens.
Why Public Policy is a key to growth in India
India is transforming fast with rapid urbanisation and expansion of the economy, besides growth in the digital world. All these processes require careful planning and policymaking, and hence the role of public policy experts increases manifold.
For instance, over 750 million Indians now have digital access, enabling e-governance by the government, online education, and digital entrepreneurship.
This was only possible due to the policymaking of the Digital India mission, which digitally enabled a wide array of sectors through broadband highways, universal access to mobile connectivity, public internet access programmes and digital governance.
Initiatives like Smart Cities Mission, Startup India, and Digital India demonstrate that public policy in India shapes opportunities and outcomes in India’s growth.
Pathways for Public Policy career in India
The table below explains various public policy careers in India.
| Pathways | Role Focus | Roles in India |
|---|---|---|
| Government | Crafting and executing policies | Policy analyst, policy associate |
| Think tank | Research and policy insights | Research fellows |
| International organisations | Advising global programs with India impact | Program officer in organisations like World Bank |
| Corporate consulting | Policy advisory, CSR, ESG initiatives | Public affairs managers, consultant |
| NGOs and grassroots | Implementing programmes on ground | Project manager and policy making and implementation |
Skills that make a successful career in India
A career in public policy is the combination of turning ideations into solutions that create impact in society. The diverse and complex social, economic, and political challenges require the right skills that can be translated into a successful career in India.
| Skill | Utility |
|---|---|
| Critical thinking | To solve complex problems in India’s multilayered governance system |
| Data analysis and research | To interpret Indian surveys; census data, and programmes evaluations |
| Communication | To write policy briefs, present solutions and engage various stakeholders |
| Stakeholder management | To coordinate between government and NGO’s and corporations |
| Policy design and evaluation | Impact assessment, cost-benefit analysis |
| Empathy and cultural awareness | Conduct field surveys and understand local challenges |
Top sectors hiring policy professionals in India
Public policy professionals are in demand across multiple sectors, each offering unique ways to shape India’s development. Understanding the different sectors helps students identify their interests, skills, and ambitions and their alignment.
| Focus area | Key employers | Roles/positions |
|---|---|---|
| Policy design and governance | Various organisations of governments | Policy officer, programme manager |
| Research and advisory | Various think tanks | Research fellow and Policy analyst |
| Corporate strategy and impact | CSR/ESG teams in corporates, consulting firms | Public affairs manager, ESG consultant |
| Community implementation | Various NGOs like Pratham, SEWA | Public manager, advocacy specialist, translating policies |
Action plan for students for public policy careers
Here is a roadmap to get started in the action plan for students for public policy careers. Steps and action taken,
Step 1: Identify the interest in various areas such as education, health, climate, urban development, or entrepreneurship in India.
Step 2: Build knowledge —Enrol in courses, read policy reports, and follow governance news.
Step 3: Gain practical experience by interning with the government and their affiliates, such as Niti Aayog, or with corporates in their policy teams.
Step 4: Develop skills like enhancing analytical, communication, research, and stakeholder management abilities.
Step 5: Formal training—Consider programmes like ISPP’s PGP that offer an Indian focus on public policy.
If you are ready to transform your passion for public policy into practice, ISPP’s Post Graduate Programme (PGP) provides structured training to prepare the next generation of policy leaders.
FAQs
Why is public policy so important in India?
It sharpens policymaking in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and industry and at grassroots levels.
What kind of jobs are available in public policy careers?
Opportunities span across government and think tanks and international organisations that are involved in the development sector.
Do I need a degree specific to public policy in my career?
No, you don’t need specific degrees, although degrees in social sciences are an added advantage; what matters most are the analytical, research, and communication skills that help in public policy careers down the line. But it is advisable to do a short or longer duration course in public policy.
Can I switch from a nontraditional background to public policy?
Yes, policy professionals come from a wide variety of fields and can switch from a nontraditional background to public policy careers.
Who should consider ISPP’s public policy programme?
Students and professionals interested in public policy who are passionate about shaping India’s development regardless of economic background will benefit from ISPP’s public policy programme.