Master’s of Public Policy Program

Kautilya offers a 2-year, full-time residential Master of Public Policy* (MPP) program, a 103-credit program with a curriculum designed to expand knowledge, enhance skills, and instill values. 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. KSPP’s Public policy curriculum embraces an international pedagogical and public policy research outlook while engaging with the ground realities of India and its citizens.

Beyond classroom learning, each public policy student will have numerous opportunities to actively network with policy professionals through symposiums and seminar sessions. Students will also have the chance to share thoughts on various public policy topics through participation in conferences and hackathons.

MPP Program Structure & Curriculum

The Public Policy Course Curriculum Design is fostered with international best practice frameworks and contextualized 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 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 will have the opportunity to 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 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.

Being one of the best Master of Public Policy (MPP) Programs, 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.

Credit-matrix indicating certification and specialization award.

Minimum Credits Choice Based Credits
India Core General & Anchor Core Internship & Capstone Additional; Credits From Electives Total Remarks
Master of Public Policy with specialization 15 42 6 30 103* Fullfillment opf minimum mandatory 72 credits, 10 skill shops, and 21 additional credits from any of the electives taken from atleast one focus area leading to a (seperately issued) specialization award.

*Includes 10 skill shops worth ten credits

   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:

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*

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

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

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