The MA Public Policy and Governance (MAPPG) is a two-year master’s degree programme, which opens avenues into the world of public affairs for those who are passionate and committed about contributing to social and political change by engaging with public institutions as a policy researcher, commentator, consultant or advisor. This programme is a joint initiative of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV) and the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). It aims to impart the necessary knowledge and skills that will help the students to develop meaningful and sustainable solutions to the challenging situations in public affairs and governance. An effective training in theory complemented by learning experiences from real-world policy challenges covering key areas will help the students to address contemporary political, economic and social issues. The MPPG programme offered by CVV shall be the first of its kind in Kerala. This programme shall also be a knowledge and skill enhancer for serving and prospective bureaucrats, judicial officers, financial and banking professionals, development professionals, social entrepreneurs, economists and social leaders.
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Programme Offered by
    School of Ethics, Governance, Culture & Social Systems at CVV
Eligibility
    Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Who should Apply?
  • Students exploring a Public policy-related career in health, education, public finance and economy, urban development, information and communication, international relations, technological innovation, environment etc in Government or corporate sector.
  • Mid career professionals like serving and prospective bureaucrats, judicial officers, developmental sector professionals, members of prestigious fellowships like PMRDF etc seeking to enhance their skill sets.
  • Public Policy enthusiasts seeking to strengthen their profile for a career in governmental institutions, multilateral aid agencies, academic institutions, global institutions such as UN and its subsidiaries, non-governmental organisations, think tanks, consulting companies, media institutions etc.
Application Procedure
    Screening of applications, written test and/or personal interviews.
DURATION: 2 years fulltime master’s program with Flexi timings
CAMPUS: Chinmaya Eswar Gurukula, Kochi Campus
Course Structure
No COURSE TYPE COURSE TITLE CREDIT
1. Core courses
Fundamentals of Public Policymaking: Paradigm and Practices

Economics for Policymaker

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods for Policy Research

Idea of Development: Theory and Praxis

Public Policy Analysis and Implementation

Understanding Governance: Constitutional Context, Institutions and Practices

Global Governance Agenda and International Organisations

Public Policy Communication

Data Analytics

Technology and Challenges to Conventional Public Policy Frameworks


4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

2. Foundation Courses
Introduction to Indic Knowledge Systems

Indian Conceptions of Dharma and Niti


4

4

3. Specialization (Any 3)
Education

Health

Energy/Environment

Strategic Studies

Urban Studies

3*4
Life transformation courses: Yoga/Seva 2
Internship/ field engagement 2
Dissertation 6
Total Credits
69
Programme Fee (Indian & International) and Scholarship Policy
  • INR 1,30,000 per annum for students from India and SAARC countries.
  • USD 3,000 per annum for International students.

  • Please note that hostel facilities will not be available.
    Caution Deposit and Semester 1 Fee
  • Every candidate selected for admission at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth will be required to deposit an amount of INR 10,000 towards caution deposit and the first semester programme fees in order to confirm his/her offer of admission by the acceptance deadline as specified in the offer letter.
  • Caution Deposit for International Students - USD 240
  • The management of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV) believes that ‘means’ should not come in the way of meritorious students desirous of pursuing higher education at CVV. Hence, CVV encourages deserving students to apply for Scholarship. Public policy applicants can avail up to INR 25,000 as fee waiver based on merit. Read more.

Faculty Information

Programme Advisory Committee
    1. Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan
    T.P. Sreenivasan is a former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Vienna and Governor for India of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna and Ambassador to Austria and Slovenia (2000-2004), T.P. Sreenivasan has served in the Indian Foreign Service for 37 years. He has nearly 20 years of experience in multilateral diplomacy and has represented India at a number of international conferences organised by the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Nonaligned Movement. He has chaired several UN Committees and Conferences and was a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the Government of India from 2009 to 2012. He is the author of four books: ‘Words, Words, Words—Adventures in Diplomacy’, ‘Encounters’ ‘Mattering to India-the Shashi Tharoor Campaign' and 'Applied Diplomacy Through the Prism of Mythology'. Know more.

    2. P. R Devi Prasad IES
    P.R Devi Prasad has extensive experience with technical matters relating to macro-economic policies and government budgets as well as administrative, financial, and vigilance matters, performance management in central and state governments. He started his career as a lecturer at Bombay (1979-1981) and later joined Indian Economic Service (1982-2014). He had established Fiscal Policy Institute, Bangalore for Government of Karnataka; worked with Government of India in various capacities in Budget Division in Finance Ministry, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Rural Development, Delhi Development Authority, etc. Know more: Detailed CV

    3. Dr. Anuradha Balaram IES
    Dr. Anuradha Balaram served as a member of the Indian Economic Service from 1986 to 2016 in various advisory capacities. As Chief Economic Adviser and Member Secretary, Kerala State Planning Board, she advised the Cabinet on several critical economic issues, introduced several innovative ideas including setting up of a Public Private Partnership Board, finalizing the Kerala Perspective Plan 2030, presenting the State’s Memorandum to the 14th Finance Commission, revamping the prestigious Annual Economic Review, among other work. She was able to bring about a significant change in the work culture In the Kerala State Planning Board. Know more: LinkedIn Profile,Detailed CV

    4. K.M. Gopakumar
    K.M. Gopakumar is a Legal Advisor and Senior Researcher with the Third World Network (TWN), New Delhi. His area of focus is the global intellectual property regime and its impact on developing countries.
    5. Dr. Vijay Sakhuja
    Dr Vijay Sakhuja is former Director, National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi. He is currently Visiting Senior Fellow, Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace, (CICP) Phnom Penh; Trustee and Executive Director, The Peninsula Foundation, Chennai; Executive Editor, India Strategic and is associated with Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi. Detailed CV
Core Faculty
    1. Nagaraj Neerchal
    Prof. Nagaraj Neerchal has been the Graduate Program Director for Statistics and the Director of Center for Interdisciplinary Consulting and Research in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Maryland. With a Ph. D in Statistics from the Iowa State University, Prof. Neerchal's research and publications span a broad range of disciplines including transportation, environment and ecology, pharmacology, high-performance computing and many others. He has guided several PhD and master’s students and has innumerable publications to his credit including 3 books. He has won numerous awards including the University of Maryland Board of Regents Award for Innovation Excellence, the Kauffman Entrepreneurship Fellowship, and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Statistical Association.

    2. Vanisree Ramanathan
    Dr. Vanisree Ramanathan is involved in teaching, research and advocacy experience in interdisciplinary areas of sociology, political science, leadership programs, demography and law for over 14 years. Vanisree has published several research articles in international peer-reviewed journals, delivered keynote speeches as well as presented papers in International conferences. She is an expert in using experiential learning methodology as well as participatory development paradigms. She has been associated with various institutions like Symbiosis Law School, MIT School of Government, Savitribai Phule Pune University and Symbiosis School of Economics. Vanisree has also taught courses in Demography, Public administration and Business Ethics and Law. Know more.

    3. Nithin Ramakrishnan
    Nithin Ramakrishnan, a post-graduate in International Law, who have received international scholarships and honours from The Hague Academy of International Law (2015), University of Geneva (2016) and Xiamen Academy of International Law (2018). His master’s thesis, ‘ International Legal Order and Global Governance’ is an expansive work on the structural principles of international legal order and the aspirations of global governance. He is pursuing his interdisciplinary PhD from the Department of Bharatiya Dharshan, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University in which areas of research include early conceptions of State and International Law from Sanskrit Literature and Ancient Indian Knowledge Systems (Sastras).Know more.

    4. Dr. Shilpa Pandit
    Dr. Shilpa Pandit is a trained psychologist and a development professional with a Ph.D. in Health in school contexts and more than a decade of research work experience in different domains of social and human development. Over the past 9-10 years, Dr. Pandit has been an expert researcher on gender, health, poverty and livelihoods and employability. She has contributed to conversations on social policy. She has worked with associates, collectives and organizations with a wide and interdisciplinary network like MSSRF, Hand in Hand, SIAPP, SEWA, UNICEF, UNDP, University of Madras, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development (RGNIYD), IFMR etc. Know more.

    5. Dr. Sushree Sasmita Pati
    Dr. Sushree Sasmita Pati holds Ph.D. and Post Graduation (Sanskrit) (Gold Medal) from Pondicherry University. Her research work is titled “The study of Bhasa’s plays with special reference to Manusmriti”. She is currently working on the prospects of Dharmasastra and its contemporary relevance. Her research areas include famous Sanskrit literary works and its Dharmasastra aspects. She has numerous research articles to her credit besides being the co-author of a book. She was awarded the Amul Vidyabhusan and literary champion award. Apart from academic achievements, she is a passionate singer and writer. Know more.
Visiting Faculty
    1. Prof K C Abraham
    Prof K C Abraham retired as Professor of Political Science from the Department of Economics at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, Kochi, Kerala. He is an orator and writer of contemporary regional and national political and social issues and also serves as the Academic Director at CPPR.
    2. Dr. D Dhanuraj
    Dr Dhanuraj is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive of CPPR of which he is also one of the founding members. He holds a PhD (Anna University), MSc Physics (Mahatma Gandhi University) and MA Political Science (Madras Christian College). He also holds a Post Graduate Executive Diploma in International Business from Loyola, Chennai and has undergone training by TTMBA of Atlas USA, IAF Germany, FEE USA, etc. Dhanuraj started his career as a Research Associate in 2003. He has handled various social research projects and has extensively travelled across the country to manage projects of various kinds. He works in the areas of urbanisation, education, health, livelihood and law. Dhanu, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues, is foremost a policy researcher and then an entrepreneur and consultant.
    3. Dr Swapna Jambhekar
    Dr Swapna Jambhekar is a Research Consultant at CPPR and is closely involved in the research studies undertaken by CPPR. She graduated as Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) from Mumbai University. After completing Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital Administration (PGDHA) from All India Institute of Local Self Government, she pursued Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai (TISS). Swapna is also a Fellow of Insurance Institute of India (FIII) and has worked with well-known bilateral and multilateral agencies in the areas of microinsurance and public health. Her work experience encompasses working at the grassroots level community mobilisation and training, implementation, administration, research, documentation and consulting.
    4. Gazi Hassan
    Gazi Hassan is Senior Research Associate at CPPR. He is involved in research on Asia-Pacific, particularly exploring the geopolitical dynamics, blue economy, developments related to trade and terrorism, role of various actors and security dynamics of the region. He has previously worked as a researcher at the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. He has been contributing articles to various online platforms like SADF(Brussels), Foreign Policy News (Washington), The Quint, The Median and newspapers Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Reader, Greater Kashmir among others.
Board of Studies
  • Prof. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Director of Indian Law Institute, New Delhi
  • Prof. Sreenivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Nagpur
  • Prof. Sai Baba, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
  • Prof. Valson, National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Cochin
  • Prof. Nagraj Paturi, Director, Indic Academy and Former Professor of Cultural Studies, FLAMES School of Communication, Pune Maharastra
  • Prof. B Kannan, Retired Professor of Sanskrit, Jain University Bangalore and Academic Director, Swadeshi Indology
  • Mr. K M Gopakumar, Legal Advisor, Third World Network, New Delhi
  • Dr. D Dhanuraj, Director, Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi
  • Mr. Arun Krishnan, Adhoc Faculty, EGCS School & Consultant LL.M. Legal Theory programme
  • Prof. Vanisree Ramanathan, Head of the EGCS School
  • Dr. Sushree Sasmita Pati, Assistant Professor of Dharmasastra, EGCS School
  • Mr Nithin Ramakrishnan, Assistant Professor of International Law, EGCS
Career Opportunities
After completing this programme, ample career opportunities are waiting for the participants in governmental institutions, state planning boards, Global Institutions such as the UN and its subsidiaries.
Career in Political advocacy, Government-initiated projects, National and international development organization, and multilateral aid agencies. Sector-based opportunities in ICT, Health, education, development, environment, Energy, Urban planning, and Transport.
The participants of this programme can handle policy-related assignments in consultancy firms, government and non-governmental organizations, private companies, media, and funding agencies and academics. Policy experts are also recruited as education administrators, administrative services managers, executive directors, program analyst/Director, or urban managers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • What are Public Policy and Governance (PPG) studies?
    Public Policy and Governance studies help the learner to understand how public policies are framed, discussed, and implemented in a structured manner. It helps the student to understand the role of various institutions, both public and private, in formulating the policies and the role played by them for the execution of the policies at different levels. PPG studies will also help the student to understand how the framework of the policies could lead to the indirect benefits/losses and the inadvertent consequences at times. PPG will also help in comprehending the concepts of equity, liberty, the rule of law, efficiency, effectiveness, etc and how they are constituents of a practical public policy framework.

  • What about the duration and timing of the course of MA PPG?
    The MA PPG programme is two years four-semester, full-time programme with flexible timing to cater to the working professionals.

  • What is the uniqueness of MA PPG Masters Programme?
    It is first of its kind in Kerala. The programme is designed by integrating the best of traditional and modern knowledge with the proper balance of academics and practice, The programme is designed in collaboration with Centre for Public policy and Research (CPPR) India, a think tank with fifteen years of experience working with various government agencies, development organizations, interest groups, and corporate bodies. CPPR will bring very practical experience in the policy formulations in India.

  • What is the eligibility to apply for this Programme?
    Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

  • Who should apply for this programme?
    Any graduate students who are exploring a career in different sectors of public policy such as health, education, energy, environment, urban development, law, international relations, technological innovation, and aspiring civil servants, aspiring political and social leaders mid-career professionals and serving officers who are eager to enhance their skill sets.

  • What are the different courses taught in this programme?
    The courses are divided into foundation courses, core courses, and elective courses. Foundation courses are based on Indic knowledge systems; Core courses deal with public policy and governance concepts, theories, and practice. Elective courses are offered to gain specialized areas of expertise in diverse areas of public policy. Along with this Life transformation courses, Internship and Research Project/ Dissertation are also part of this programme.

  • What about the fees of this programme?
    The programme fees are 1.3 Lac per year. Scholarships are offered to candidates based on merit and means.

  • Who are the faculties conducting this programme?
    The programme will be handled by Core faculties, Visiting faculties and Guest faculties. Core faculties are full-time faculties of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth. Visiting faculties are the faculties with expertise in specialised courses. Guest faculties are the eminent personalities who worked in public policy and governance areas. The fellows and experts with the CPPR will add value to the programme.

  • Whether an internship is provided to the students by CVV?
    Participants of this programme will be provided internship opportunities based on their areas of interest.