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India needs a globally recognised public policy school
Context:
Public policy education is gaining traction globally, and India has seen significant growth in this field, with over 130 institutions offering related programs. Despite hosting a quarter of Asia’s public policy schools, India lacks a globally recognised institution like Harvard Kennedy School or LSE.
Current State of Public Policy Education in India:
Growing Interest in Public Policy Programs Public Policy education has expanded significantly in India over the past decade. India hosts over 25% of Asia’s Public Policy schools, with around 130 institutions offering related programs, including 29 specialised ones (AICTE data). This growth reflects increasing awareness of policymaking’s importance in addressing societal challenges.
Key Concerns in Public Policy Education:
- Limited Job Opportunities: Despite more graduates, there is a mismatch between education and job availability in India.
- Unlike the U.S., India lacks clear recruitment pathways for policy professionals, leading graduates to compete in crowded fields like think tanks and NGOs.
- Lack of Government Absorption: Public Policy programs focus on research but do not sufficiently prepare students for leadership roles in government.
- There are no dedicated recruitment routes, and government agencies prefer candidates with administrative experience.
- Theoretical Curriculum with Minimal Practical Exposure: Programs are largely theoretical, with limited hands-on experience.
- Internships and practical learning tools like simulations and policy labs are underutilised, leaving a gap between academic knowledge and real-world policymaking skills.
Role of Policy Schools and Think Tanks in Democracies:
- Helping Leaders Make Better Decisions: Policy schools and think tanks provide research, analysis, and practical solutions to enhance decision-making by leaders.
- Fostering New Ideas: These institutions serve as platforms for open debate and collaboration, bringing together academics, policymakers, and civil society to improve governance.
Risks of Overreliance on Policy Schools:
- Unelected Bodies: Overreliance on think tanks and policy schools can sideline elected representatives, undermining democracy.
- Weakening the Democratic Process:Allowing experts to dominate decision-making risks reducing the role of the people’s elected leaders. A balance is necessary to guide decisions without undermining democratic processes.
Public Policy in India vs. the World:
- In the U.S. and U.K., legislatures play a significant role in shaping laws, offering policy experts multiple entry points to influence governance.
- In India, the concentration of power in the executive reduces opportunities for experts to contribute meaningfully.
Why Policy Schools and Think Tanks Struggle in India:
- Centralised Power: Policymaking is concentrated in the executive, limiting the role of experts in legislative debates and decision-making processes.
- Changing Political Power: Influence often shifts with changes in government, leading to instability for think tanks and policy schools.
A Path Forward: Building an Indian Public Policy Institution:
- Practical Learning Tools:
- Introduce simulations, case studies, and policy labs to offer students real-world decision-making experiences.
- Organise field trips and provide exposure to grassroots policymaking to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Understanding India’s Power Dynamics: Train students to navigate informal systems like caste, regional politics, and grassroots movements, which are integral to India’s governance.
- Focusing on Empathy: Policies must reflect real challenges faced by citizens. Empathy and ground-level knowledge are crucial for meaningful and impactful policymaking.
- Strengthening Academia-Policy Links:
- Build stronger collaborations between academia, practitioners, and stakeholders to align research with real-world policymaking.
- Encourage public-private partnerships and involvement from think tanks to provide better career opportunities for graduates.
- Professionalising Bureaucracy
- Create dedicated recruitment mechanisms for policy graduates to integrate them into government roles.
- Develop training programs combining administrative and policy expertise to meet government expectations.
- Ensuring Stability and Non-Partisan Legitimacy
- Build networks connecting civil society, academia, and government to ensure policy ideas remain relevant beyond political shifts.
- Focus on producing high-quality, unbiased work to establish trust and guide national development.
