Master's Program in Public Policy (MPP)

Kautilya offers a 2-year, full-time residential Master’s Program in Public Policy (MPP)*, a 103-credit program with a curriculum designed to expand knowledge, enhance skills, instill values, and embrace an international pedagogical and public policy research outlook while engaging with the ground realities of India and its citizens. Being one of the best public policy programs it aims to bring together students from diverse disciplines and allow time to internalize and apply key public policy concepts.

Graduation Path - Kautilya School of Public Policy

Bridging the gap between the industry requirements and academic curriculum at the master’s level through targeted skill development programs taught by practitioners.

Each year consists of three terms.

In the first year, the foundation, core, and elective courses curriculum will expand students’ knowledge of Indian governance and policymaking structures and approaches. Through dedicated skill shops, each public policy student will also learn how to negotiate and persuade, write public speeches and Op-Ed Columns, and communicate verbally and non-verbally in various professional settings.

At the end of the first year, students can undertake a 3-month internship with an organization of their choice during the summer break.

In the second year of the public policy program, students will deep dive into one of five areas of specialization: Business and Government, Environmental, Social and Governance Issues, Technology and Society, Economics for Policy, and Global Affairs.

Being one of the best Master’s Program in Public Policy (MPP), it culminates in a Master’s Thesis in term 6, based on a Capstone Project (CAP), undertaken either independently with an organization of your choice or as part of a faculty-led group research project on a current policy issue.

Compulsory Credits Choice Based Credits
Core Courses Internships Capstone Skill Shops Additional; Credits From Electives Total Remarks
Master’s Program in Public Policy (MPP) with specialization 45 3 6 10 39 103* Fulfillment of minimum mandatory 72 credits, 10 skill shops, and 21 additional credits from any of the electives taken from at least one focus area leading to a (separately issued) specialization award.

Choice of 13 Electives (39 Credits)
Business & Government Economics for Policy Environmental, Social and Governance Issues Global Affairs Technology & Society
Competition Policy & Economic Regulation* Elements of Econometrics Gender, State & Society* Emerging Security Challenges The City:Urbanization & Planning*
Interpersonal Dynamics Reforming the Indian Economy* Climate Change & Finance* Emotions in State Behaviour Education & Development
New Media & Policy Governance* Informal Economy & Social Policy* ESG* Global Public Health* Introduction to Public Problem Solving
Economic Freedom, Financial Inclusion, & Digital Banking* Big Debates in Development* Climate Litigation* Big Debates in Development* Regulation of AI Technologies*
Law & Policy of Global Trade* Behavioural Insights for Innovative Policy* Religion, Public Policy & Law* Migration and Refugee Movements Informal Economy & Social Policy*

 10 Skill Shops (10 Credits)

Kautilya offers a range of core and elective courses and provides practical skills training through dedicated skills shops. The table underneath contains an indicative term-wise outlay of the courses for the 1st two years:

Core Courses

 Electives

*Pending approval from the UGC, for conferring the degree of our preferred nomenclature of MPP, we may, in lieu, use M.A (Public Policy).