India’s demand for public policy and impact professionals is growing rapidly.

Each year, nearly 1 million aspirants attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but only around 1,000 succeed. For those who don’t qualify, public policy and impact consulting offer fulfilling career alternatives, enabling them to achieve their goal of driving societal change.

In recent years, several institutions in India have introduced certificate programs in public policy, focusing on foundational topics such as constitutional fundamentals, the balance of power, public administration, economic policy, and social issues. However, these programs often fail to address the unique needs of UPSC aspirants, who typically have a more nuanced and holistic understanding of these concepts.

What’s missing from most programs is an emphasis on the hard skills required to excel in public policy roles—skills that go beyond theory to enable practical, impactful work. Similarly, the path to impact consulting remains unclear. With no consolidated resources or guidance on entering the field, aspiring consultants often struggle to identify actionable steps to break into this competitive domain.

The Applied Public Policy Lab (APPL) is a six-month program specifically designed to address these challenges.

APPL goes beyond skill development to offer end-to-end support for your career journey. Over six months, participants receive resume optimization to create a standout profile, LinkedIn profile enhancement to increase visibility and networking opportunities, guidance on home tasks and corporate interview preparation, and dedicated mentorship to navigate career pathways and secure professional roles.

Through live sessions, case-based learning, and personalized mentorship, APPL prepares participants to define public policy problems effectively, develop robust solutions, and influence policy outcomes. Whether your goal is to excel in public policy or impact consulting, APPL provides the knowledge, skills, and support to ensure success.

With APPL, you’re not just learning; you’re building a solid foundation for a career in public policy and impact consulting—one that combines technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and professional readiness to thrive in the field.