Policy Circle in Pune, population decline, and Minerva Impact
Policy Post #237
Dear reader,
“Population” has always been a dynamic and multidimensional subject of study. Population decline is an issue, but so is population explosion. Replacement migration is viewed as a solution, but also as an issue of its own.
The Policy Post this week brings to you
The vanishing of the youth - an essay on decline of birth rates
The upcoming Policy Circle in Pune
A spotlight on Minerva Impact
A note on how the Policy Circle in Delhi happened
As always, we wrap up with a curated list of opportunities.
Let’s get into it!
⁉️The PPI Policy Question: Policy or Parody?
A. A city used bright lights to reduce crime rates.
B. A city introduced “silent buses” where talking was prohibited.
👉 Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
🏙️PPI Policy Circle in Pune
On 6th June, Public Policy India is coming to Pune for a policy workshop.
In-person development, policy and NGO sector careers workshop next Friday evening in Pune👇
PPI, in partnership with Anant National University, is coming to Pune with a curated workshop on how to navigate policy and development management careers. If you’ve been curious about the space looking for the right community, then this is for you!
And you walk away with:
🟣 A policy careers workshop on nuances of policymaking, + many career options to pursue
🟣 A careers workshop with Yash Agarwal on navigating paths in policy
🟣 Loads of chats + an evening with Pune’s policy community, open to all
📅 Saturday, 6th June
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Starthub Cowork space, Koregaon Park
and yess, Coffee’s on us!!
📍 Keep an eye on your chapter’s WhatsApp group for all updates
Not in a chapter yet? Find and join your city chapter here →
🎓 Thinking About Structured Learning in Policy?
Policy Circles are a great starting point — but if you’re ready to go deeper, the Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) at the Kautilya School of Public Policy is currently accepting applications.
This two-year residential programme focuses on understanding how policies are designed, implemented, and shaped by political and institutional realities.
KSPP offers scholarships for eligible candidates, and applicants applying through PPI may be considered for fee waivers depending on the school’s evaluation, including academics, interview performance, and financial background.
📌 If you apply via PPI, be sure to mention us as your reference to be considered for the waiver.
👀Spotlight of the week
The Policy space is filled with organisations doing impactful work, in innovative ways, forging their own paths.
Through PPI’s Spotlight feature, we try to focus on such organisations and this week we talk about the interesting intersection Minerva Impact works in.
Minerva Impact works at the intersection of business and public policy — helping discover infinite possibilities for India. Its work is rooted in strengthening the five Es: Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Economy, and Environment.
If you’re an aspiring policy professional interested in independent research under mentorship, write to Minerva Impact at hello@minervaimpact.org.
🏙️PPI’s latest Policy Circle - Delhi
On 27th May, Public Policy India came to Delhi for a Policy Circle in collaboration with Indian School of Development Management (ISDM).
We started with an icebreaker around policy issues that were personal to the participants, and conversations of “Oh, where do you work?” and “What did you write about?” flowed over coffee.
We then sat down for a Policy Showcase - where participants spoke about the cool initiatives they are a part of, followed by a speaker session by Mona Dikshit and a workshop on navigating careers by our founder Yash Agarwal.
What followed was our favourite part of Policy Circles - people interacting after the session, forming changing shapes that were always accompanied by exciting conversations, and none of us wanting to leave the community we have quickly grown fond of!
Want to join the Policy Circle in your city?
📍 Keep an eye on your chapter’s WhatsApp group for all updates
Not in a chapter yet? Find and join your city chapter here →
📝Essay of the Week
In all developed countries, fertility rates are well below 2.1, the ‘replacement rate’ needed to maintain a stable population.
This essay discusses the precipitous decline of birth rates throughout the world which is considered to pose a serious threat to humanity.
🔎 Databases and Guides:
Discover your ultimate career resource sheets for everything related to public policy! Our comprehensive mega-lists include 150+ hiring organisations, 200+ scholarships, and 150+ courses, podcasts and a lot more. Dive in and unlock your next big opportunity!
🌍Climate + Health Corner
In Partnership With Swasti, The Health Catalyst
India, the world’s largest population - for how much longer?
India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR), has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1, according to the Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2024.
Check how the TFR has transitioned over years and how it stands in different areas presently, in this article.
💼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!
⁉️Policy or Parody?
Answer: A — A Philadelphia streetlight crime study, beginning in August 2023, observed that upgrading around one-third of city’s streetlights had an observable and statistical effect on crime citywide.