July 30, 2023
Government policies play a crucial role in determining the future of a country, needless to say. They not only impact economic growth and public welfare but also improve the ease of living for citizens. Unfortunately, the lack of formal education in public management has led to governance lagging behind private sector management in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
As the fifth largest economy in the world, the onus of global progress upon India as a country cannot be underplayed. While the government's vision is aligned with citizens' values, in India's aspirations to become Vishwa Guru, the element of ‘competency’ remains critical. The government of India is proactively incorporating self-reliant India with a focus on inclusiveness and sustainability. This has resulted in the framing of a government mission called 'KarmYogi'. The task entails a massive shift to capacitate policymakers and decision-makers. It envisages developing comprehensive competency by integrating experience and evidence to make value judgments by aligning government vision with citizens' values.
Education in public policy has raised an unprecedented demand for multiple competencies to resolve complex problems. A renowned American professor, Noam Chomsky, once said, "There's a tremendous gap between public opinion and public policy." Imparting exceptional education is one of the few ways to bridge that gap. Acknowledging the shifting paradigm of contemporary education, MDI Gurgaon has redesigned the 'Post Graduate Diploma in Management-Public Policy and Management (PGDM-PPM).' The program allows policymakers and decision-makers to develop comprehensive competency by integrating experience and evidence to make value judgments. Since 2006, the AICTE approved, DoPT supported Post Graduate Diploma in Management Public Policy and Management (PGDM-PPM) at MDI has constantly bridged the diverse experiences with evidence and expertise for cognitive gain, behavioural change, and citizen-centricity. The PGDM-PPM is a unique experience of 15 months of residential learning on campus and three months of policy paper at the workplace. The program aligns courses and discourses on functional competency for productive efficiency and domain competency for professional effectiveness. It aims to develop comprehensive competency by integrating understanding, realization, and value judgment by aligning government vision with citizens' values.
If an individual’s passion drives him/her towards a profession to tackle complex problems with the help of sustainable solutions, they are encouraged to gain information on the one-of-its-kind Public Policy Management Program across India. MDI's PGDM-PPM is open to officers of All India Services, Central Services (organized & non-organized, technical & non-technical), faculty members of State Administrative Training Institutes, and also officers of the State Civil Services (SCS)/Non-State Civil Services (Non-SCS) subject to a few other eligibility conditions. The officers should have completed five years of Group 'A' service as of the commencement of the program. Self-sponsored candidates working with or for the government are welcome to apply. An aptitude to be part of a positive change and a desire to bestow an example can seem like the first step towards this learning.
The integration of public policy education in Indian management schools is indispensable for producing visionary leaders who not only excel in their respective industries but also contribute significantly to the betterment of society. By understanding the broader implications of their actions and decisions, these leaders can help India progress towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.
It will not be hyperbole to state that public policy education is not just an addition to the curriculum; rather, it is an investment in the nation's future that reaps invaluable returns.