Introduction
A state or national government carries the vital responsibility of addressing the needs and aspirations of its people. To fulfil these responsibilities, it must rely on capable individuals who can design and implement effective policies for the public good. Public policy, at its core, is driven by the purpose of solving complex social, economic, and political challenges that impact communities and nations. The Master of Public Policy (MAPP) programme empowers students to navigate these dynamic policy environments, both within government and in international organisations, by equipping them with the analytical, strategic, and leadership skills essential for meaningful impact.
Define Public Policy
Public policy does not have a standardised definition and is stated to be a complex and dynamic system that identifies and aims to resolve problems faced by the public. This is done through the creation of policies and the establishment of reforms to improve the current standards of living. The master’s in public policy programme prepares students to identify and address public issues and advocate for change. These policies are made on local, national and international levels to ensure proper implementation in every sector or community.
Different Types of Indian Public Policies
Public welfare is often referred to be the ultimate goal of public policies. Governmental authorities, along with public representatives and private stakeholders, come together to discuss problems that affect the public. These policies are influenced by diverse interests and considerations and are subject to changes according to the evolving societal needs and circumstances. To study the Master’s in public policy in India, you will need to understand the four prominent types of public policies.
- Substantive Policies: To address fundamental societal concerns such as education, criminal justice, immigration, technology and innovation. Substantive policies are often considered the foundation of Public Policy endeavours.
- Regulation Policies: The regulation policies are all about safeguarding the rights and interests of the public, as well as industries operating under the governmental authority. This includes environmental policy, food safety regulations, labour regulations, healthcare regulations, financial regulations, etc.
- Distribution Policies: Equity is one of the primary purposes of policymaking, and distribution policies are prime examples of this, through which the resources are given out to individuals and groups. Education funding, housing policies, agricultural subsidies, and social security programmes fall under different forms of distribution policy.
- Redistribution Policies: Equal distribution of resources and reduced income parity are tackled under redistribution policies. Progressive taxation, social safety net, and minimum wage adjustments are redistribution policies used for the purpose of managing taxation and financial decisions.
The MPP degree taught in India includes the different types of public policies relevant to the state of India. In a way, public policies have a profound impact on the government, business enterprises and civil society at large. This degree helps you understand these instances with more insight.
What is Disaster Resilience?
Disaster resilience is a unique aspect of public policymaking that focuses not on resolving an existing crisis but on preparing for and preventing future disasters. These policies and programmes are designed to equip communities with the capacity to respond effectively during emergencies, rather than reacting only after a calamity strikes.
The precautionary approach of disaster resilience has consistently proven beneficial, saving lives, reducing vulnerabilities and supporting long-term development. For instance, environmental protection measures significantly minimise the risk and scale of potential destruction, ensuring safer and more sustainable communities.
Disaster to Resilience: Policies That Saved Entire Communities
In 1970, the Bhola cyclone hit the coasts of Bangladesh, causing irreparable damage and wiping out hundreds to thousands of lives. However, when the Nargis cyclone hit the country in 2008, despite a similar circumstance predicted, Bangladesh was well prepared this time around to manage the situation, and their disaster resilience and response and rescue teams did a commendable job in saving many lives. Many such examples prove the importance and integrity of disaster resilience programmes taught under public policy courses.
| Event/Case | Challenge Faced | Policy/Resilience Action | Impact |
| Bhola Cyclone, 1970 (Bangladesh) | Massive destruction; loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. | Lack of preparedness and coordinated disaster response. | Catastrophic human and infrastructural loss. |
| Cyclone Nargis, 2008 (Bangladesh) | A similar natural threat was predicted in 1970. | Strengthened disaster resilience programmes, trained rescue teams, improved response systems. | Thousands of lives saved; significantly reduced damages. |
| India – Ongoing Resilience Programmes | Anticipated natural disasters (cyclones, floods, droughts). | Community awareness, early warning systems, climate adaptation policies. | Preventive approach safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and environment. |
Coursework for the MA Public Policy
The MA public policy coursework has an extensive list of subjects related to public policy and governance. The core subjects included in the programme are more or less the same in every institution offering a master’s degree. Here is a list of the core subjects included in such a programme.
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Economic Foundations of Public Policy (Micro)
- Social Foundations of Public Policy
- Qualitative Research
- Statistics & Quantitative Research
- Academic Witing
- Political Philosophy for Public Policy
- Economic Foundations of Public Policy (Macro)
- Research Design & Survey Analysis
- Programme Design & Evaluation
- Policy Action Lab
- Public Finance
- State, Governance, & Policy
Apart from the core subjects, students are also given the choice to select from a wide variety of elective subjects, which further advances the value of the degree and adds more scope to career options. Here are some of the elective subjects that students must know about before enrolling for the course.
- Gender & Economic Development
- Science Technology Studies
- Urban Governance from a Practitioner’s Perspective
- Examining Higher Education Policy
- Applied Econometrics
- Intermediate Data Science
- Comparative Politics: Theories, Methods, and Practices
- AI in Public Policy & Economics
- Comparative Political Economy of Welfare
- Narrative Public Policy
- Sustainable Food, Water and Energy Governance
- Thinking in Systems: A Strategy for Sustainable Development Policy
- Legal Empowerment of the Poor
- Bollywood Cinema & Labour
- Coolies and Capitalism
- International Political Economy (WTO, IMF, WB, WIPO)
- Education Policy in India: Frameworks, Institutions and Processes
- Comparative Health Policy & Systems
- Politics and Development in India
- GIS for Policy Analysis
- Rural Economy
- Growth, Development, and Employment: Data Systems in India
- Introduction to Health Economics
- Advanced Econometrics
- Labour Market & Migration
- Political Economy of Agriculture
- Statistical Analysis using R
- Advanced Mathematical Tools
- Theories of Economic Inequality
- Growth Empirics & Policy
- Time Series Analysis
- Empirical Development Economics
- Experimental Economics
- Environmental & Ecological Economics
- Advanced Topics in Statistics and Data Analysis with Stata
- Quantum-like Framework in Economics
- Economics of Discrimination
- Public Finance
- Competition Policy
The core subjects and electives are usually combined to offer an interdisciplinary overview of public policy. It prepares students to make a significant difference and contribute to solving genuine problems or issues in society or in a specific community.
