education
A Hidden Gem in Education: The Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP)
When we think of India’s top colleges, names like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS instantly come to mind. They’re known for producing engineers, business leaders, and doctors. But what about the people who design government policies? The ones who help solve big problems like unemployment, pollution, public healthcare, and education inequality? Where do they study?
In recent years, India has started realizing the need for a new kind of leader — one who understands how public systems work and how they can be improved. And that’s exactly where the Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP) comes in. It’s a young, lesser-known institute in Delhi that’s quietly building the next generation of policymakers, social changemakers, and ethical leaders.
Why Do We Need a Place Like ISPP?
India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but it also faces many complex challenges — poverty, climate change, urban crowding, education gaps, and healthcare inequality, to name just a few. These aren’t problems that engineers or doctors alone can solve. They require smart policy decisions — the kind that affect how people live and how governments spend money.
For a long time, students interested in public policy had to go abroad to study — to places like Harvard, Oxford, or LSE. These options were expensive and out of reach for most Indians. ISPP was founded in 2018 to change that.
It was started by a group of respected leaders like Nandan Nilekani (co-founder of Infosys and the mind behind Aadhaar), Gurcharan Das (author and former CEO of Procter & Gamble India), and Arun Maira (former member of the Planning Commission). Their goal? To give Indian students a world-class education in public policy, right here at home.
What Makes ISPP Different?
ISPP offers a one-year postgraduate program in Public Policy, Design, and Management. That might sound technical, but here’s what it really means: students learn how to solve real problems in society.
They study subjects like:
- How laws and government policies are made
- How to use data and research to make better decisions
- How to manage projects and lead teams
- How to communicate ideas clearly to the public or in Parliament
- How to understand the economy, society, and human behavior
The best part? Learning at ISPP isn’t limited to classrooms and textbooks. Students work on real-world problems, participate in policy simulations, and complete hands-on capstone projects with actual organizations — from state governments to NGOs and private companies.
They’re mentored by people who’ve worked in the Prime Minister’s Office, NITI Aayog, international bodies like the UN, or in public health and education across India.
Small Classrooms, Big Impact
ISPP is a small and selective institute — it admits only a limited number of students each year. But that’s what makes the experience so rich. Students come from all over India, with backgrounds in law, engineering, journalism, social work, economics, and even medicine.
Many of them have already worked for a few years — in government, non-profits, corporate CSR, or youth leadership programs like Teach for India. This creates a lively, mature classroom atmosphere where people bring different perspectives to every discussion.
For example, one student worked on tribal education in Jharkhand. Another was involved in climate action programs in Kerala. Someone else came from a journalism background and wanted to understand policy better to report more deeply on governance issues. These stories make ISPP not just a school, but a hub of passionate people trying to make a difference.
What Happens After Graduation?
One of the biggest strengths of ISPP is that it doesn’t just give you a certificate — it prepares you for a life of impact.
Graduates of ISPP have gone on to:
- Work with state governments on education and health reforms
- Join think tanks and research institutions focused on public finance, agriculture, or climate change
- Take roles in corporate CSR teams and policy communication firms
- Start their own initiatives in rural development, policy consulting, or civic technology
Some students have even contributed to drafting government policies or advising local leaders on budget planning. One group helped create a digital platform for tracking rural school attendance. Another worked with a health nonprofit to improve how medicines were distributed in underdeveloped districts.
These aren’t just internships — these are real, high-stakes projects that can change people’s lives.
Prestige Beyond Popularity
Even though ISPP isn’t as famous as other institutions (yet), it holds a quiet prestige. It attracts students who aren’t just looking for a job or a high salary — they’re looking to solve problems, serve people, and shape systems.
In fact, ISPP is slowly building a reputation like India’s version of the Harvard Kennedy School — an institute that creates policy leaders, not just professionals.
And while the tuition fees are high, the school offers generous scholarships to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds can study there. What matters most is your potential to create impact — not your financial status.
Conclusion: The Future of Leadership Starts Here
In today’s world, leadership is not just about giving speeches or wearing a suit. It’s about understanding people, solving tough problems, and building a fairer system for everyone.
The Indian School of Public Policy is quietly creating these kinds of leaders. It’s not a place for the faint-hearted, but for those who care deeply about the future of India — and are ready to do the hard work it takes to make that future better.
So the next time someone asks where the next generation of changemakers is coming from — don’t be surprised if the answer isn’t IIT or IIM, but ISPP.
By: SHREYA SINGH
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