The MA in Public Policy at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to engage with governance, development, and policy design in a structured and research-driven way. Located in Chennai, IIT Madras brings a strong analytical and technology-oriented perspective to public policy, which makes this program slightly different from traditional social science degrees. It blends economics, political science, data analysis, and public administration, allowing students to understand how policies are actually designed, implemented, and evaluated in real-world contexts.

MA Public Policy – IIT Madras

Institute

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Program Details

• Master of Arts (MA) in Public Policy

• Duration: 2 years

• Interdisciplinary approach (policy + data + governance)

• Focus: policy analysis, development, digital governance, sustainability

• Learning: mix of theory, analytics, real-world exposure

Career Outcomes

• Government and policy advisory roles

• Think tanks and research organizations

• Consulting firms and NGOs

• International development agencies

Admission Process

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)

Selection Steps

• Entrance exam - GATE (Humanities and Social Science)

• Shortlisting based on score

Why Choose IIT Madras

• Strong analytical and data-driven policy training

• Exposure to technology-policy intersection

• Diverse peer group (engineering + social sciences)

• Access to IIT-level research ecosystem

The curriculum is built around both conceptual clarity and practical exposure. Students study core areas like policy analysis, development economics, governance systems, and quantitative methods, while also getting exposure to emerging domains such as digital governance, sustainability, and technology policy. What stands out is the focus on evidence-based policymaking, where students are trained to use data and analytical tools rather than relying only on theoretical arguments. This becomes especially useful for careers in government advisory roles, think tanks, consulting, NGOs, and international organizations.

The admission process for the MA Public Policy at IIT Madras is competitive but quite structured. Candidates are usually shortlisted based on their performance in a national-level entrance exam such as JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters) or a similar qualifying route depending on the specific admission cycle. After this, shortlisted applicants are called for a written test and/or personal interview. The selection process does not just look at marks, it also evaluates the candidate’s understanding of social issues, clarity of thought, and motivation to work in the policy domain. Students from diverse backgrounds including engineering, humanities, commerce, and social sciences are encouraged to apply, which adds richness to classroom discussions.

Another important aspect is the institute’s ecosystem. Being part of IIT Madras means access to strong research centers, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to policy discussions linked with technology, digital transformation, and innovation. For someone interested in areas like Digital India, platform governance, or informal sector transformation, this environment can be especially useful.

Overall, the MA Public Policy at IIT Madras is a solid choice if you want a program that mixes rigorous analysis with real policy relevance, rather than staying purely theoretical.