Course Fees
The tuition fee for the course
is Rs. 15,000/- (all inclusive).
The online certificate course offered by the Center of Policy Research and Governance (CPRG) focuses on equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of the basics of public policy and governance in India. The course is designed to cater to a diverse audience including students, academics, professionals, and policy enthusiasts. Led by accomplished scholars, bureaucrats, and seasoned practitioners across diverse policy domains, this course seamlessly blends cutting-edge research, theoretical insights, and real-world scenarios to equip learners with tools to understand and evaluate the public policy systems and processes.
Our Core Tenets
1
By bringing distinguished academicians and policy practitioners within our cohort, we nurture an engaging and empowering learning opportunity for the Indian public.
2
Our strategy involves designing conversation-based sessions that go beyond the traditional pedagogical model. Learners actively engage, critically question, and test the ideas they encounter during the sessions with domain leaders. These vibrant exchanges foster personalized and profound learning encounters, fostering the growth of fresh ideas.
Structure
Stretched over 12 weekends, the course offers learners the flexibility to balance their commitments, be it college or work-related engagements. Typically conducted on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, the sessions are designed to accommodate diverse schedules. The course entails a weekly commitment of 3-4 hours.
Areas of Study
Over 24 interactive sessions, learners will actively explore the fundamental debates and questions of public policy and governance in India. Moreover, they will have an exceptional opportunity to engage with the practical applications of public policy and develop skills to navigate their own paths in this dynamic space.
Our sessions are intentionally divided into three key areas of study, which are as follows:
01
Understanding Policy in India, which includes aspects like state capacity, politics of development, political ideologies, economic foundations of public policy, public finance, and representation.
02
Tools of Policy, which includes aspects like research methods, impact evaluation, and policy case study.
03
Public Policy in Action, which includes aspects like health, climate, power, education, environment, agriculture, gender, and technology
Assessment
The course assessment serves as a valuable juncture for learners to pause, reflect, and enhance their grasp of the concepts explored during the sessions. Our mentors will diligently review submitted assignments, offering practical feedback to aid learners on their path.
Eligibility
We welcome learners from diverse academic backgrounds and aim to provide a comprehensive learning experience that caters to individuals with varying levels of prior knowledge and expertise. We expect our candidates to have either completed or are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Mentors
Mr. Nitin Mehta
Officer on Special Duty
Prasar Bharati
Dr. Vikas Tripathi
Associate Professor
Department of Political Science Gauhati University
Dr. Ravij Seth
Former Principal Financial Advisor
Indian Railways
(Currently serving as a Professor at IIM Jammu)
Dr. Sayantan Sahu
Research Scientist
University of Maryland
Mr. Pranav Gupta
Ph.D. Candidate
University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Shounak Set
Research Fellow, South Asia Program, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Nanyang Technological University Singapore
Mr. Abhishek Kumar
Advisor, Just Energy Transition Partnership
German Agency for International Cooperation
Dr. Rachna Sharma
Head, Centre for Media and Communication Research
Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
Dr. Omkar Joshi
Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Maryland Population Research Center
University of Maryland
Dr. Badri Narayan
Vice-Chancellor
Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai
(Former Head and Director of the G.B. Pant Social Science Institute)
Ms. Sangeeta Godbole
(ex) Indian Revenue Service
Visiting Faculty Trade and Environment, FLAME University
Dr. Avinash Sunthlia
Deputy Director, National Centre for Disease Control
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
Dr. Rahul Verma
Associate Professor
Shiv Nadar School of Law
Mr. Chetan Aggarwal
Public Policy Consultant
(ex) Officer on Special Duty, MyGov
Dr. Prakash Jha
Assistant Professor of Agriculture Climatology
Mississippi State University
Ms. Nidhi Ladha
Partner, ESG and Sustainability
Sustainability and Strategy
Mr. Arun Goyal
Former Member, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
Retired IAS Officer
Dr. Ramanand Nand
Founder-Director
Center of Policy Research and Governance
Mr. Shahnawaz Khan
Principal Lead
Ecosystems, Google Cloud, HCLTech
Dr. Disha Sharma
Assistant Professor, Department of Sustainability Management
IIM Mumbai
Mr. Vishan Pattnaik
Associate Director
IDInsight
Ms. Natasha Goel
Senior Manager and Chief of Staff
IDInsight
FAQs
-
01. Is the course an online course?
Our course is conducted entirely online.
-
02. Will the online sessions be recorded?
The sessions will be recorded. The cohort will have access to these recordings for a limited period of time.
-
03. Who can apply for it?
Those who have completed or are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply. A typical cohort includes graduate students, doctoral researchers, and working professionals.
-
04. What is the time commitment needed for the course? Can professionals working in full-time roles pursue this course?
With a commitment of 4-6 hours per week, including live sessions, learners can easily integrate course responsibilities into their routines. The schedule is designed with the learners’ full-time engagements in mind.
-
05. Do we need any prior knowledge for the course?
No prior knowledge is required. The sessions aim to provide learners with a foundational understanding of policy and governance, accommodating individuals with varying levels of familiarity with the subject.
-
06. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 11:59 P.M. IST, October 31, 2025 Our rolling application process considers submissions until the deadline or until all spots are filled. Thus, we recommend applying as soon as possible.
-
07. If my application was previously rejected, will it affect my chances for future cohorts?
Past rejections will not impact your prospects for future cohorts. Each application is assessed independently, and previous rejections will not negatively affect your application for upcoming cohorts. We encourage you to reapply.
-
08. Will I receive any placement support?
We do not provide placement or internship support as part of the course. Although we do not facilitate placements, a dedicated session on careers and advanced education in public policy will acquaint learners with potential paths to explore.
-
09. Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes, you will receive a certificate upon successfully completing the course.
-
10. What is the language of instruction?
The sessions and all communications will be delivered in English.