Master's
Program
Kautilya offers a 2-year, full-time residential Master in Public Policy* (MPP) program, a 103-credit program with a curriculum designed to expand knowledge, enhance skills, and instil values. The course will bring together students from diverse disciplines, and allow time to internalize and apply key concepts. Our curriculum embraces international pedagogical and research outlook, while engaging with the ground realities of India and her citizens.
Beyond classroom learning, you will have numerous opportunities to actively network with policy professionals through symposiums and seminar sessions. You will also have the chance to share your thoughts on various policy topics through participation in conferences and hackathons.
Our curriculum is designed from international best practice frameworks, and contextualised specifically to tackle the complexities of the Indian ecosystem.
Each year consists of three terms.
The foundation, core and elective courses in the first-year curriculum will expand your knowledge of Indian governance and policymaking structures and approaches. Through dedicated skill shops, you 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, you will have the opportunity to undertake a 3-month internship with an organization of your choice during the summer break.
In your second year, you will deep dive into one of five areas of specialization through electives covering the five policy domains: Government and Corporate Affairs, Political and Economic Development, Societal and Community Affairs, Foreign and International Affairs, and Human Rights, Institutions and Democracy.
The program 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.

Academic Year 2022-23:
Start Date: 01st August 2022; End Date: 12th May 2023
2022
August
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
01st Aug 2022 | Monday | First day of Trimester 1/Trimester 4 classes |
15th Aug 2022 | Monday | Independence Day |
31st Aug 2022 | Wednesday | Vinayaka Chaturthi |
Sep/Oct/ Nov
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
02nd Oct 2022 | Sunday | Gandhi Jayanthi |
04th Oct 2022 | Tuesday | Bathukkama |
05th Oct 2022 | Wednesday | Vijayadasami |
21st Oct 2022 | Friday | Last day of Trimester 1/ Trimester 4 classes |
22nd Oct 2022 – 06th Nov 2022 | Saturday- Sunday | Trimester Holidays |
Nov/ Dec
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
07th Nov 2022 | Monday | First day of Trimester 2/ Trimester 5 classes |
25th Dec 2022 | Sunday | Christmas |
2023
Jan/Feb
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
15th Jan 2023 | Sunday | Sankranti |
26th Jan 2023 | Thursday | Republic Day |
Feb/March
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
3rd Feb 2023 | Friday | Last day of Trimester 2/ Trimester 5 classes |
4th Feb 2023 19th Feb 2023 | Saturday- Sunday | Trimester Holidays |
20th Feb 2023 | Monday | First day of Trimester 3 classes/ Trimester 6 |
22nd March 2023 | Wednesday | Ugadi |
April/May
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
07th April 2023 | Friday | Good Friday |
14th April 2023 | Friday | Ambedkar Jayanthi |
21st April 2023 | Friday | Ramzan |
12th May 2023 | Friday | Last day of Trimester 3 classes/ Trimester 6 |
May/June/July
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
15th May 2023 | Monday | First day of Internship |
29th June 2023 | Thursday | Bakrid |
17th July 2023 | Monday | Bonalu |
28th July 2023 | Friday | Last day of Internship |
August/September
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
01st Aug 2023 | Tuesday | First day of Trimester 1/ Trimester 4 classes |
15th Aug 2023 | Tuesday | Independence Day |
19th Sep 2023 | Tuesday | Vinayaka Chaturthi |
October/November/ December
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
02nd Oct 2023 | Monday | Gandhi Jayanthi |
24th Oct 2023 | Tuesday | Vijayadasami |
27th Oct 2023 | Friday | Last day of Trimester 1/ Trimester 4 classes |
28th Oct 2023- 12th Nov 2023 | Saturday- Sunday | Trimester Holidays |
13th Nov 2023 | Monday | First day of Trimester 2/ Trimester 5 classes |
25th Dec 2023 | Monday | Christmas |
2024
Jan/Feb
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
15th Jan 2024 | Monday | Sankranti |
26th Jan 2024 | Friday | Republic day |
2nd Feb 2024 | Friday | Last day of Trimester 2/Trimester 5 classes |
3th Feb 2024 – 18th Feb 2024 | Saturday- Sunday | Trimester Holidays |
19th Feb 2024 | Monday | First day of Trimester 3 classes/ Trimester 6 |
March/ April/ May
Date and Month | Day | Event |
---|---|---|
29th March 2024 | Friday | Good Friday |
9th April 2024 | Tuesday | Ramzan |
14th April 2024 | Sunday | Ambedkar Jayanthi |
15th May 2024 | Wednesday | Last day of Trimester 3 classes/ Trimester 6 |
*Classes will be conducted periodically on saturdays as well as per the management’s decision
Why Kautilya?
Access to top minds – public policy leaders & the best international faculty
Experienced founding team comprising of Stanford, Harvard & IIM alumni
World class infrastructure at par with Ivy League Schools to enrich learning experience and campus life
Program curriculum and structure geared for academic depth as well as practical application
Quality engagement with Society, Government and Business on furthering evidence based policy making and inclusive growth
Scholarships and Placement Assistance
Eligibility

If you are ambitious, driven, focused and committed to playing a role in Public Policy, while also willing to grow personally and advance professionally through this experience, the Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) is your access to all the change you want to bring about.
Whether you’re in the final year of your undergraduate degree or a working professional (with a bachelor’s degree), you’re welcome to apply. Work experience is a bonus, but not mandatory.
If you are from a professional background different from public policy but have a vision for policymaking in the country, we’re glad to have you at Kautilya. Students from different backgrounds only make everyone’s experience richer.
Batch Profile
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is the course structure of Master in Public Policy (MPP) at Kautilya?
Is Master in Public Policy (MPP) a compulsorily residential program?
What career progressions can we expect post a course in public policy?
Does Kautilya provide financial aid? What is the process of availing financial aid?
Is this a degree program?
What kind of industry immersion does Kautilya provide?
Is a letter of recommendation mandatory?
Who can be my recommender?
How do I accept the offer of admission?
Does Kautilya have a deferral policy on admissions?
*Pending approval from the UGC, for conferring the degree of our preferred nomenclature of MPP, we may, in lieu, use M.A (Public Policy).