Foundations of Academic Writing
Foundations of Academic Writing will introduce students to the fundamental skills and tools needed for academic writing. Students will learn to write argumentative essays, structured through paragraphs, with a clear acknowledgement of sources. The course will work through the methods and processes of drafting, revising, and rewriting, allowing students to learn about writing as an iterative process where progress is made through feedback and revision. Students will also work through the process of peer review, both to sharpen their critical skills and to be able to receive and work with feedback. The course will also introduce students to the skills of critical reading, as a method to enable the learning of writing.
Business, Government & Society
Public policy in the real world emerges from the interaction of three main stakeholders- business, government, and society. The complexities of their interactions affect how policies are made and implemented. The first part of this course will give learners an introduction to conceptualising how different stakeholders operate in the real world and an understanding of their role in influencing policy outcomes. The second part of this course will aim to develop learners’ awareness of major facets of India’s economy, society, and politics. The course will also examine a range of emerging global developments that pose cutting-edge policy challenges.
Navigating the Field: Research Ethics and Methods
Transformative evidence-based policy decisions depend on robust fieldwork. In this course, students will learn the basic fundamentals of crafting a research project and planning its execution towards successful completion. Based on the topic of their choice, determined in consultation with a faculty member, students will be guided to conduct literature reviews, identify policy problem(s), and explore appropriate theoretical and analytical frameworks to attend to their resolution. The course will adopt a deeply hands-on approach and will be treated as a precursor to students’ capstone, which entails independent work. The course will enable students to become independent evidence-based policy researchers in pursuit of evolving as successful policy practitioners.
Foundations of Public Policy
Public Policy is an ever-evolving field with its various forms, models, elements, stakeholders and frameworks. The Policymaking process, which was previously assumed to be cyclic, has evolved into a complex and haphazard. This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the practical and theoretical issues of the public policy process, specifically dealing with the Laswell’s Stage Heuristic Framework, famously known as the Policy Cycle. The course would provide an in-depth understanding of India as well as the global policy-making ecosystem, by emphasising the political nature of the process, i.e., how various actors' interests influence the policy process. It would also open a dialogue about the applicability of extant theories to India and possible ways to build theories that may be relevant to the country.
Design Thinking for Citizens Centric Public Policy
Design Thinking has emerged as a powerful approach for developing innovative and citizen-centric public policies. Rooted in empathy and human-centred problem-solving, it enables policymakers to understand diverse perspectives and address the evolving needs of citizens and governance systems. This course explores the core principles of Design Thinking, with a strong focus on empathy as the foundation for effective policy design. Participants will examine real-world case studies, analysing both successful initiatives and implementation challenges to gain practical insights. The course also introduces emerging trends, tools, and applications of Design Thinking through interactive discussions, collaborative activities, and expert sessions. By integrating theory with practice, participants will develop the skills to design responsive, inclusive, and innovative public policies for contemporary governance challenges.
Indian Constitution: Supreme Document of Public Policy
Indian Constitution is the supreme law of land and is the most important and fundamental document of a country's Public Policy. No public policy can be inconsistent with the Constitution’s Policy choices. This course presents fundamental concepts and doctrines of Constitutional Law. The student will be able to identify the legal and societal struggles on each side of the great constitutional disputes. The student will be able to develop a sense of constitutional values which comes from Preamble, Part III and Part IV of the Constitution and which must be reflected in all policy decisions. This course will be a forum for engaging and frank discussion on some of the most contentious issues that are relevant for the public policy experts.
India & the World
As India emerges as a leading global power, understanding its foreign policy has become essential for public policy professionals. This course examines the evolution of India's Foreign Policy, providing insights into its political, economic, security, and developmental dimensions. Participants will explore the structures, processes, and key stakeholders involved in foreign policy formulation, along with the internal and external factors shaping decision-making. The course covers India's engagement with neighbouring countries, regional and global organizations, and its role in the evolving international order. Through an analytical and practical approach, participants will gain a deeper understanding of India's strategic priorities, diplomatic engagements, and global aspirations, equipping them to analyse and contribute to policy decisions in both national and international contexts.
Public Policy Practice in India
This course offers an in-depth understanding of public policy formulation and implementation through real-world practice. Participants will explore the functioning of institutions and governance systems in areas such as Panchayati Raj, rural development, education, health, and institution building. A key feature of the course is field immersion, enabling participants to engage with communities and gain first-hand insights into policy challenges and implementation. Delivered by senior civil servants from the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP), the course combines practical case studies with public policy theory. Complementing foundational public policy courses, it equips participants with the analytical skills and practical perspectives needed to understand governance, evaluate policies, and contribute effectively to evidence-based policymaking.
Public Microeconomics
This course introduces public policy students to core public economic principles and their application to real-world policy challenges. Focusing on market mechanics, market failures, public expenditure, and taxation, the course equips future policymakers with the foundational and analytical tools needed to evaluate when and how governments should intervene in the economy. Students learn to assess trade-offs, equity, and efficiency to develop evidence-based policy solutions.
Data Visualisation & Dashboards
This course is designed to provide Master's of Public Policy students with a comprehensive understanding of data analytics and its application in public policy and business decision-making. The curriculum covers foundational and advanced Python programming, data manipulation, and visualization techniques. Students will engage in practical case studies and projects, such as creating a dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and building an interactive dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), enabling them to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. The course also emphasizes the creation of interactive dashboards and effective communication of insights to stakeholders.
Statistics for Public Policy
Statistical thinking, comprehension, and competence are more crucial than ever in today's increasingly complex environment. Thus, understanding the mathematical and statistical concepts is necessary to understand the various policy frameworks. This course introduces students to statistical techniques used in policy analysis and evaluation. It provides a solid understanding of the ideas and criteria for performing quantitative research. The emphasis will be on establishing a conceptual grasp of statistics and data analysis abilities and learning how to apply them to policy analysts’ challenges. This course also introduces the students to MS Excel, its interfaces and basic functions. The course content lays the groundwork for students to pursue more advanced topics in the discipline as per their career and research requirements. The techniques discussed in this course will significantly help students learn and understand theories and applications discussed in advanced courses on data analysis in the Public Policy domain.
Strategising Inclusive Public Policy Interventions
The aim of building an inclusive society is accepted by practically every government. Nearly each and every state recognizes the importance of the inclusion of all sectors, regardless of the inherent challenges. But how do we turn this discourse into public policy? This course will propose the tools and apply them to the public policy cycle, and help them to adopt, design and implement strategies that support inclusive development. This can be given additional substance by unpacking the obligations of the state, essential elements of inclusive development, and cross-cutting principles of the creation of inclusive public policy making. This course will specifically identify persistent social issues like gender justice, environmental parity, human rights displacement, identity violence, and propose solutions to combat them.
Rudraram, Patancheru Mandal
Hyderabad, Telangana 502329