Climate as a Career Path + PPI's Scholarship for MPP @ KSPP!
Policy Post #182
Dear Reader,
Hope you're doing well! This week in Policy Charcha, we've curated the best podcasts, videos, essays, and career resources from the world of policy and governance.
In our Article Highlight, we delve into the rapid rise of climate action as a career, with sustainability roles becoming some of the most sought-after positions for 2024. Meanwhile, our Resource Highlight features a paper by NIPFP exploring how India’s innovation policy could benefit from shifting towards a contracting-out approach to amplify societal benefits.
In our Video Highlight, we take you through the ambitious but ultimately failed Delhi housing project, once promised as a solution to make the city "slum-free". Watch how poor planning and political missteps led to its downfall.
Our Climate + Health Corner brings an important update on the status of clean drinking water in India. While access has improved significantly, tap water remains limited in rural areas. The gap between administrative data and actual access remains a key challenge.
Finally, in our Community Updates, we share highlights from our recent events in Hyderabad and Kolkata, in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy. Plus, don't miss the chance to apply for Kautilya's Master's Program in Public Policy with scholarships available!
Do consider supporting PPI by buying us a coffee ☕ (or two!) if you’ve found our work to be valuable :)
With that, we bring to you: Policy Post #182!
Policy Charcha 💬
The best of Podcasts, Videos, Essays, Fellowships and other Career resources from the world of Policy and Governance from the week gone by!
💡 Quick Read:
Illustration: Shruti Naithani | ThePrint
Climate action is no longer just activism; it’s a fast-growing career path.
From university benches made of recycled plastic to billion-dollar ESG firms, the shift is visible everywhere. LinkedIn lists ‘Sustainability Manager’ among the top 25 emerging jobs in India for 2024. With companies and colleges investing in climate, young professionals are rushing to get on board.
📚 Resource Highlight:
This paper by NIPFP explores how India can strengthen its innovation policy by moving away from vertical government research bodies towards a contracting-out approach. It suggests that this shift can amplify knowledge spillovers and deliver greater societal benefits through more effective use of public funds.
📚 Database Highlight:
We’ve just launched a brand new, comprehensive guide to help you navigate the policy jobs market—covering everything from resumes and cover letters to interview tips and templates. Whether you're applying for your first role or levelling up, this resource is built for your next big step. Check out our Policy Jobs Toolkit!
🔎 Databases and Guides:
Discover your ultimate career resource sheets for everything related to public policy! Our comprehensive mega-lists include over 150 organisations that are always on the lookout for talent, 200+ scholarships for Indian students, and 150+ public policy courses. Dive in and unlock incredible opportunities!
▶️Video Highlight:
👉🏽 Over 50,000 flats were promised as part of a grand plan to make Delhi "slum-free" in the early 2000s; a symbol of a modern, liberalised India. But decades later, they stand mostly abandoned, victims of poor planning, politics, and broken promises. Watch how a dream of urban renewal turned into a cautionary tale.
Climate + Health Corner
In Partnership With Swasti, The Health Catalyst
👉🏽 Access to Clean Drinking Water in India
Chart Credit: Data for India
India has made significant progress in providing access to clean drinking water, with nearly 95% of households now having basic access. However, tap water access remains limited, particularly in rural areas, where only 30% rely on it as their primary source. While urban areas have seen greater success with piped water, rural India still heavily depends on hand pumps and bottled water. Despite government efforts, there is a gap between administrative data and actual household experiences.
👥 Community Updates:
Our PPI communities in Hyderabad and Kolkata, in partnership with Kautilya School of Public Policy, recently came together for an engaging evening!
In Hyderabad, we were joined by Syed Akbaruddin, Dean of Kautilya School of Public Policy. He has formerly served as an IFS officer and as India's permanent representative to the United Nations!
In Kolkata, we were joined by Mr. Prateek Kanwal, Co-Founder of Kautilya School of Public Policy and a Harvard Kennedy School graduate. He has over 12 years of experience in education reform, policy, and advocacy. He shared his insights from his journey in policy and the changing landscape of public policy.
Admissions are now open for the Master's Program in Public Policy (MPP) at Kautilya School of Public Policy. This 2-year, full-time residential program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to expand your knowledge and skills, while engaging with the real challenges of India. Apply now—last date is April 30th, 2025!
PS: 10 applicants who apply and secure a admit in the 2-year full-time MPP at Kautilya School of Public Policy through PPI’s link below - get a minimum 50% and up to a 100% scholarship!
Just mention Public Policy India (PPI) as the reference in your application process. Good luck!
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The aim is to organise regular in-person meet-ups, workshops, and career activities throughout the year to support your growth and learning. Most knowledge in public policy and social impact resides with individuals, not institutions, and knowledge transfer happens most effectively when we meet and exchange ideas. Join us and help spread the word so we can grow this space together in your city and across India. :)
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Careers Corner 💼
A curated list of some of the best jobs and internship opportunities this week from the world of public policy, the development sector, impact consulting and communications at large.
📩 Best bit - if you know of a job/internship opening that’s not listed here, kindly just add that as a comment on the sheet: giving 20,000+ people immediate access to it!
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