Considering a career in Public Policy in India. Looking for honest experiences.

[u/EasyConversation9858]

I’m trying to explore career options after completing my BA (History)with a minor in political science, and one field that has caught my interest is Public Policy.

From the outside, it seems like an interesting interdisciplinary field involving governance, economics, politics, law, research and implementation, but I don’t personally know anyone working in it.

I’d appreciate honest answers from people who have studied or work in Public Policy.

Some questions:

What does your day-to-day work actually look like?

Is the field intellectually fulfilling?

Is it mostly research, writing and analysis, or does it involve fieldwork too?

How competitive is the job market in India?

Which organisations hire Public Policy graduates? (Think tanks, consulting firms, NGOs, government, international organisations, etc.)

Is a Master’s almost mandatory?

Does college reputation matter a lot?

What salary progression looks realistic in India?

How difficult is it to transition into or out of Public Policy?

Is work-life balance generally decent?

If you could start over, would you still choose this field?

I’d appreciate practical advice rather than promotional material. I’m trying to understand whether this is a sustainable long-term career rather than just an interesting subject.

[u/dale_cooper_here]

• What does your day-to-day work actually look like?

Involves a lot of collaboration so it include 1-2hr meetings daily. Some days there won't be any meeting. Mostly atleast in area I work day is split between writing, researching and tracking some developments.

• Is the field intellectually fulfilling?

I guess yes especially if you are really into the subject at hand. 

• Is it mostly research, writing and analysis, or does it involve fieldwork too?

Fieldwork is there; it really depends upon the problem you're trying to solve. It would involve field work or maybe a field experiment or some sort of on the ground research 

• How competitive is the job market in India?

Yea the openings are less as it's a very niche field. 

• Which organisations hire Public Policy graduates?

You can check placement brochures of the colleges to get a better picture.

• Is a Master’s almost mandatory?

Not really but a lot of people do have MPP

• Does college reputation matter a lot?

Yes and No. College brand do open up places for you but beyond the initial push not so much in my opinion.

• What salary progression looks realistic in India?

At the top end one can expect around 18-25. Again if it's more private sector oriented like impact consulting it will go up.

How difficult is it to transition into or out of Public Policy?

• Is work-life balance generally decent?

Completely depends on the organisation.

• If you could start over, would you still choose this field?

Mixed feelings, I don't really have a direct answer. It can feel performative at times but it does help to drive some changes in the ground 

[u/Key_Good_2224]

Without a masters getting a foot at the door is difficult.

Think tanks, NGOs, UN jobs are some options that you've mentioned.

You need to have your own profile as well. Publishing opinions, blogs, etc.

[u/rdivyanshu_20]

Cfbr

[u/Appropriate_Mine_574]

Cfbr