IIM Bangalore inaugurates 23rd cohort of the PGPPM

Bangalore: IIM Bangalore inaugurated the 23rd cohort of its Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy & Management (PGPPM), welcoming 30 participants from government and non-government backgrounds to the 14-month master's programme via hybrid mode. The flagship initiative of IIMB’s Centre for Public Policy (CPP) continues its legacy of shaping leaders who can navigate India’s governance challenges with clarity, innovation, and empathy.

This year's cohort brings together officers from the IAS, IPS, revenue services (direct and indirect tax), statistical services, and healthcare administration, alongside professionals from the banking, finance, and social sectors.

Prof. Arnab Mukherji, Chairperson, PGPPM, welcomed the 23rd cohort and traced the programme’s journey since 2002, highlighting the achievements of its alumni across institutions such as the World Bank and other international organisations. He noted that in 2026, the boundaries between the state and private sector are changing, making the role of public policy professionals increasingly complex. He said the programme addresses this complexity through a cross-functional approach centred on the idea of a “problem narrative.”

Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore, congratulated the incoming cohort and highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in governance and public service delivery. He pointed to its potential in areas such as healthcare and reducing the cost of public services, while stressing the need to balance AI adoption with its impact on employment.

Prof. Gopal Naik, Chairperson, Centre for Public Policy (CPP), IIM Bangalore, outlined the Centre’s origins in 2000 and its contribution to strengthening policy analysis and implementation capacity. He highlighted CPP’s pioneering role in public policy education, including training programmes for IAS officers, its PhD programme and its annual international conference.

Chief Guest Dr. Sweta C. Saxena was introduced by Dr. Anjana Dube, Chief Policy Officer, CPP, IIMB. In her keynote, Dr. Saxena explained the pathway from economic growth to human resilience through public policy. She emphasised that GDP measures the size of an economy but does not show how growth is distributed or its impact on wellbeing. She also shared examples from her research and international experience, including the “pro-Planet, pro-People, pro-Profit” and “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” concepts.

Archana Srivastava, PGPPM Office, proposed the vote of thanks and acknowledged the teams and faculty involved in organising the induction programme.