Behind the scenes of our PGP Workshops!
Current Cohort (PGP9)
Where policy thinking takes shape. Follow along here.
Policy Seminar Workshop: Delhi (28 to 31 August)
The ninth cohort of Takshashila’s Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy (PGP) gathered in New Delhi from 28 to 31 August 2025 for their first in-person workshop.
The four-day programme began with a tour of the Indian Parliament where they witnessed up close the settings for parliamentary dialogue. Over the next few days, students engaged in seminars led by a distinguished lineup of speakers. Dr. Rakesh Mohan reflected on his experience navigating India’s 1991 economic reforms. Ms. Manisha Pande spoke about the evolving media landscape and its role in shaping public discourse.
The cohort also heard from Prof. C. Raja Mohan examined India’s place in global affairs, and Gen. Ata Hasnain shared insights on national security management in J&K. Ms. Indrani Bagchi spoke on India’s foreign policy priorities, Dr. Alka Sharma on the promise of the BioE3 Policy, Dr. Manpreet Sethi on India’s nuclear policy, and Dr. Aditya Sondhi on the functioning of the Supreme Court.
For many, the workshop was a reminder of why they chose public policy - to engage with diverse perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to governance and society.
Begin your journey in policy education here:https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp
Policy Simulation Workshop: Goa (9 to 12 August)
An intensive four-day Policy Simulation Workshop was held in Goa from 9 to 12 October 2025, for the ninth cohort of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy at the Takshashila Institution The workshop gave students a chance to step away from theory and experience the challenges of crafting real-world policy solutions.
At the heart of the workshop was a hands-on policy simulation exercise inspired by Eugene Bardach’s Eightfold Path to Policy Analysis. Through this, students learned to define public problems with clarity, gather and analyse evidence, explore alternative solutions, weigh trade-offs, and communicate their policy ideas effectively. The process encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and decision-making grounded in evidence.
A visit to INS Hansa, India’s largest naval airbase in Dabolim, offered an added dimension to the experience, giving students a closer look at national defence operations and the role of institutions in policy implementation.
The workshop ended with student presentations, where each group showcased its carefully researched policy proposals, debated, and refined over the course of the workshop. The evenings brought moments of camaraderie and reflection.
The workshop offered hands-on experience in problem-solving, reflecting the Takshashila approach to learning and policy education.
Begin your journey here: https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp
PGP8
Policy Seminar Workshop (1)
The eighth cohort of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy at the Takshashila Institution came together for their inaugural in-person workshop from 22–25 August 2024 in New Delhi.
The workshop featured a series of seminar-style sessions delivered by a range of distinguished speakers, from Dr. Anantha Nageswaran (Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India) to Dr. Manpreet Sethi (Distinguished Fellow, CAPS).
We covered India’s foreign and nuclear policy, public service delivery, the voluntary sector, energy transition, technology governance, and the evolution of India’s national security system, among others.
In addition to the seminar sessions, the workshop included a policy game designed to help students get to know one another and begin building collaborative relationships.
This in-person workshop was an important moment for the cohort—bringing together theory, real-world insight, and peer learning in a shared physical space for the first time.
The next cohort of the PGP is now open for applications. Kickstart your public policy journey here: https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp
Policy Simulation Workshop (2)
From the 24th to the 27th of October 2024, the eighth cohort of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy at the Takshashila Institution gathered in Goa for a four-day Policy Simulation Workshop.
The workshop was centred around a policy simulation exercise inspired by Eugene Bardach’s Eightfold Path to Policy Analysis. The aim was to equip students with a practical framework to analyse complex public problems, develop viable policy alternatives, and understand policy design.
Over the course of the workshop, students learned to define the problem clearly, assemble and interpret relevant evidence, construct and evaluate policy alternatives, select appropriate criteria for judgment, project potential outcomes, confront difficult trade-offs, make reasoned decisions, and finally, articulate their policy narratives.
The workshop also featured a visit to INS Hansa (India’s largest naval airbase located in Dabolim) and a thrilling game of Nagara, a governance simulation game that involves the students navigating the constraints and benefits of a democratic system.
The workshop concluded with the group’s presentations, where students condensed their research, analysis, and strategic thinking into final policy proposals. This workshop served as a rehearsal for the kind of public leadership and problem-solving that defines the Takshashila approach to policy education.
Click here to learn more about the PGP and apply for the next cohort: https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp. Applications are open now!
Effecting Change Workshop (3)
The 14th, 15th and 16th of February saw the eighth cohort of our postgraduate programme (PGP) in public policy course come together for our Effecting Change workshop, hosted in Bangalore at the Takshashila Institution office on Church Street.
The three-day event was a dynamic space for learning, discussion, and collaboration, bringing 21 aspiring participants together to sharpen their skills and learn how to drive tangible impact from inspiring changemakers.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to evaluate the progress of participants' Capstone projects. Serving as the culmination of the PGP programme, the Capstone Project enables students to conduct empirical research in their area of interest and produce a comprehensive policy brief with recommendations to address the identified issue, using Bardach’s Eightfold Path framework.
The workshop balanced informal networking, capstone presentations and structured speaker sessions, leaving the cohort energised and excited for the rest of the programme.
Click here to learn more about the PGP and apply for the next cohort: https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp
