PhD in Public Policy Courses: Eligibility, Admission 2025, Fees, Entrance Exams, Syllabus & Career Scope

PhD in Public Policy is a doctoral course. Public Policy includes a set of rules, regulations, and laws that have been established in our society to protect the rights of all individuals and communities. They are enforced by the governments, on behalf of the citizens. 

The term PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. A PhD grants the students a license to carry out independent research work or pursue a career in academia. There is no fixed duration to complete a PhD. The PhD course duration can range from 3 years to 6 years. 

PhD in Public Policy courses are popular among students who wish to learn about the various forms of governance systems and the various social, political, and economic frameworks on which our world functions. PhD in Public Policy courses offer many specializations in the fields of Foreign Policy, Education policy, Environmental policy, Health policy, etc. 

The PhD in Public Policy eligibility criteria requires candidates who have completed their Master's degree. Students who have completed a 4-year Bachelor's degree (including 1 year of research) are also eligible to pursue PhD in Public Policy if they appear for UGC NET exam. While some institutes allow students from all disciplines to pursue PhD in Public Policy, many universities require candidates who have completed their degree in Public Policy or a related subject. 

Popular entrance exams through which students can enroll in universities include UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, etc. The top universities for PhD in Public Policy courses are IIM Bangalore, Vivekananda Global University, and Amity University. The average fees for PhD in Public Policy courses is in the range of INR 60,000 to INR 4 Lakh, depending on the institution. 

There is a vast career scope after completing PhD in Public Policy. Students can work in job profiles like Policy Makers, Government Officials, Journalists, Social Workers, Human Resources, etc. The average salary after a PhD in Public Policy can range from INR 8 LPA to INR 15 LPA. The salary grows with experience in the industry. 

PhD in Public Policy Courses: Highlights 

Students interested in pursuing a PhD in Public Policy course can take a look at the details in the table below:

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PhD Course Details

PhD in Public Policy courses offer many benefits to the students who complete them. Some of the most important advantages are:

• Understanding Governance: PhD in Public Policy courses shed light on the operation of governments, decision-making, and policy implementation. Students who have completed PhD in Public Policy courses can use this knowledge in many job fields. It will also help them develop a personal perspective on governmental actions.
• Social Impact: Policy making is one of the fastest, most efficient ways to create a change in society. Laws can only be enforced if they have been carefully evaluated and analyzed. Students who wish to create productive changes in society through governance should pursue a doctorate in Public Policy. 
• Career Opportunities: India is becoming the fastest-growing economy in the world, and we need policy-makers who have in-depth knowledge of public policy-making and administration to move ahead systematically and effectively. Students will have many career opportunities to work in this growing employment sector. A PhD enhances one's career prospects and serves as a gateway to a career in academia.
• Problem-solving skills: Students who have completed a doctorate in Public Policy learn to identify and address real-world issues. This includes coming up with practical solutions, weighing trade-offs, and comprehending the intricacies of policy execution.

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The eligibility criteria for PhD in Public Policy are prescribed by colleges offering the degree. Some colleges allow candidates who have completed a master's degree with a PhD in Public Policy as a specialization. However, some other colleges may allow master's degree holders in any discipline. The candidates in the final year of their master's degree as well as those who have completed the course are eligible to apply.

Recently, students who have completed a 4-year Bachelor's degree have also been allowed to get admission to the PhD program if they appear for UGC NET. The entrance exam conducting bodies may also impose some additional criteria. Here are some details related to PhD in Public Policy course eligibility: 

Note: This information is sourced from the official websites and may vary for different institutes.

Courses Related to PhD in Public Policy:

BA Courses

MA Courses

To secure admission to PhD in Public Policy, aspirants need to go through the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the educational institute and go through all the details of the PhD in Public Policy course offered by the institute. Select the area of research that the candidate wants to pursue.

Step 2: Candidates need to keep an eye out for any admission notifications on the official website of the university to fill out the application form for admission to the course of their choice. Usually, the admission notification is released 4-5 months before the commencement of the new batch for the course.

Step 3: Next, candidates need to fill out and submit their application forms for the PhD in Public Policy course as per the schedule shared by the educational institute. Aspirants also need to ensure that they pay the application fee on time and submit all the required documents along with their application form and accepted entrance exam scores for PhD in Public Policy admissions.

Step 4: Some educational institutes also specify that candidates need to submit a research proposal along with their application form. The application form along with the research proposal is submitted to the Research Unit of the educational institute where scrutiny of the application is conducted.

Step 5: After scrutiny of the PhD in Public Policy course application form is complete, most educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance exam and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in PhD in Public Policy programs offered by them.

Step 6: Candidates who are selected for PhD in Public Policy programs based on the admission rounds are then assigned supervisors/ guides for their PhD research and they can begin their academic journey.

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 PhD Admissions

The admission to PhD in Public Policy program is usually offered through entrance exams followed by further rounds of selection. 

The table given below presents some of the national-level entrance exams conducted in India for admission into PhD in Public Policy program:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.

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PhD in Public Policy courses are available in various modes of education. Students can choose the mode based on their accessibility and preferences. Here are some types of PhD in Public Policy courses classified based on their mode of education, along with a brief description:

The curriculum of a PhD in Public Policy degree is vast and well-structured to include texts from different eras. The general subjects that are covered in the PhD in Public Policy course syllabus have been mentioned below:

Note: The syllabus has been taken from sources across the web, and may vary for different institutions.

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PhD Syllabus

PhD in Public Policy courses can be pursued by both the government and private colleges. PhD in Public Policy courses are available in different modes, all over India. Candidates can choose a PhD in Public Policy course in college according to their suitability and convenience. 

Here is an alphabetically ordered list of some of the top colleges for PhD in Public Policy courses:

Note: The fees have been taken from the official website and may change.

PhD in Public Policy course graduates have an exceptionally wide range of professional options because of the flexible skill set that is cultivated through PhD in Public Policy courses. Some students choose a more conventional career in fields like research or academics, but students also find success in a variety of other sectors that value analytical ability, communication skills, and critical thinking.

PhD in Public Policy Courses: Job Profiles and Salary 

PhD in Public Policy course graduates are welcomed by the government, private, and business sectors, which value their capacity for problem-solving and place them in positions that have been mentioned below:

Note: The salaries given above have been taken from ambitionbox.com and may vary depending on the companies offering the jobs.

PhD in Public Policy Courses: Top Recruiters

PhD in Public Policy course graduates can explore career options in various sectors such as the government sector, media and publishing houses, corporations, and community service organizations. 

Here are some of the top companies after PhD in Public Policy courses that recruit graduates in various job profiles:

Some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for PhD in Public Policy Courses are: