LPU launches Public Policy programmes with CRISP to prepare future governance leaders

National: Responding to the growing demand for skilled policy professionals in India, Lovely Professional University (LPU) has launched specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Public Policy in collaboration with the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP), a leading policy think tank established by former civil servants and governance experts.

The introduction of the programmes comes as public policy gains prominence as a multidisciplinary field aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates future-ready education focused on governance, public administration and societal development.

As part of the collaboration, LPU will offer B.Sc. (Public Policy) and M.Sc. (Public Policy) programmes following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the university and CRISP in November 2025. The initiative aims to bridge academic learning with practical governance experience by integrating classroom education with real-world policy applications.

The programmes are designed to prepare students for careers in government, public administration, think tanks, development organisations, NGOs, policy consulting and research. Students will receive training in policy analysis, governance frameworks, public administration, leadership, evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation while developing the skills required to address complex social and economic challenges.

The three-year undergraduate and two-year postgraduate courses emphasize experiential learning through case studies, research projects, field visits and direct interactions with policymakers and governance experts, enabling students to gain practical exposure to national and global policy issues.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor, Lovely Professional University, said public policy has become an essential discipline for addressing modern governance challenges. He added that the collaboration with CRISP would provide students with practical insights and industry expertise, preparing them to contribute effectively to policymaking and nation-building.

A key feature of the programmes is guidance from an eminent advisory panel comprising senior former bureaucrats and policy experts. The panel includes R. Subrahmanyam, former Secretary to the Government of India; Sitaram J. Kunte, former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra; Usha Sharma, former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan; Dr. Vijay Raghavan, Project Lead at CRISP; K.S. Srinivas, former IAS officer and Deputy CEO of CRISP; and Radhey Shyam Julaniya (IAS Retd.), Chairperson of the Centre for Public Policy & Administrative Research (C-PAR) at LPU.

The programmes are internship-embedded, offering mandatory field exposure through government departments, policy institutions, development organisations, think tanks and research bodies. Students will also benefit from LPU's experiential learning ecosystem, which includes live projects, internships, consultancy assignments, research initiatives and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Additionally, the university's "Earn Your Fee Back" initiative enables students to gain professional experience and financial opportunities by participating in industry projects, innovation-driven assignments and research work while pursuing their studies.

Through this collaboration with CRISP, LPU aims to create a new generation of policy professionals equipped with academic knowledge, practical experience and leadership skills to contribute to governance innovation and public service in India.