The spread of popular media and the lack of evidence based policy discussions have weakened people’s access to complete information about their country’s progress. The role of the mainstream media in bringing a balanced perspective is also getting diminished as certain sections are merely focused on raking controversies rather than balanced debates on issues plaguing our country. We believe that the Indian youth is increasingly becoming ill-informed on various public policy issues and are relying more on easily available social media discussions to fulfill their thirst for knowledge.
While social media has democratized communication, the format often provides only rudimentary information about important issues. The consumers of such information are easily susceptible to reaching convenient and unverified conclusions. This information asymmetry creates biased perspectives and prevents in-depth understanding of complex policy issues. Hence, there is a need for nuanced evidence based discussions on critical issues to arrive at constructive solutions.
Moreover, there are very few platforms available to engage in thorough discussions with public policy leaders and influencers. The existing policy boot camps and fellowships are creating awareness but informed and active engagement is still a relatively unexplored territory. There is a necessity to offer our future leaders a global perspective by giving them access to high quality thought leaders who will expose them to real world challenges, scope and innovations by engaging them in a learning community.
Over the years, India has become extremely dependent on the bureaucracy to solve the country’s problems. However, that is now gradually changing as state governments as well the Niti Aayog have opened up avenues for young professionals. They are now engaging them in front-end policy making roles and also in policy implementation work. Therefore, there is a need to prepare the next generation of leaders who possess competencies that transcend the public sector-private sector divide and also have a detailed understanding of the challenges that exist in the public sphere.
Fellowship Design
From our academic learnings, research and professional experience we have come across frameworks and skill sets that should be a part of the armory of our future public leaders. These include multi-party negotiation skills, design thinking, advocacy/campaign skills, evidence based decision-making frameworks, adaptive leadership, effective social media communication, public speaking and persuasive writing skills. The CPL Fellowship will have a two-pronged approach and will focus on imparting these skills as well as a conceptual understanding of various policy issues. This will be done through interactive lectures with policy practitioners, eminent professors, scholars, as well as leaders in the field of politics, media, law and social sector.
The curriculum will focus on nine thematic areas:
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Economy
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Politics
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Social & Urban Policy
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Foreign Policy
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Media
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Indian History
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Ethics
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Technology
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Law
Structure
The CPL Fellowship is a one year long, part-time fellowship program with a cohort of the best and brightest minds who wish to explore or build on their skills in the field of public policy. The fellows will attend a series of lectures and group-discussions. Before every lecture, fellows will be assigned a significant component of pre-work that will include readings from books, academic journals and content from documentaries and films.
The discussions will take place online via a web conferencing platform. Over the course of 12 months, fellows will build a strong foundational knowledge on the key areas of policy with the help of course material, acquire skills through trained professionals, and interact with thought leaders through the sessions. The 12 months are divided into trimesters to enable a structured and coherent form of learning. The fellows will have the flexibility to be engaged in any full-time/part-time activities (ongoing education/full time employment) alongside the fellowship. The lectures will be conducted in the evening or over the weekend to ensure fellows can balance their work alongside the fellowship. In addition to the pre-work and online sessions, fellows will work on a field/research project. Each fellow will be assigned a mentor under whose guidance and assistance, they will conduct the project.
CPL will charge fellows a nominal fee of Rs. 22,500 for the year long program. We aim to build a community of leaders who can help find progressive solutions to India’s major political, economic and social challenges.
Selection Criteria
CPL is looking for candidates who have demonstrated the ability to make an impact in public policy in India. Individuals who we believe can use the learnings from the fellowship in synergy with their existing qualifications and experience to set the narrative for public policy in India. For this purpose, we are looking for candidates with strong leadership skills and commitment to public service. Fellows will be expected to show utmost dedication to the programme and complete all coursework and projects for the fellowship period of one year.
The application form aims to assess the candidate on the following parameters:
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Adaptability - Ability to work with diverse teams with different political ideologies
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Stakeholder Management - Ability to work with the Bureaucracy and Politicians
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Ability to take initiative/Leadership qualities
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Passion/Commitment towards public leadership and public policy
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Ideation/Problem Solving - Ability to crunch numbers and suggest an evidence based alternatives
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Educational Qualification/Achievement: Academic excellence and achievements in extra/co-curricular activies
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Relevant work experience and exposure
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Writing & Debating Skills
Selection Process
We say with pride that we are looking for the best minds in the country to be part of the fourth edition of the CPL Fellowship. For us, quality has always taken a precedence over quantity and hence, we have a two-step selection process: First, aspiring candidates are expected to fill an application form which includes personal details, educational qualifications, work experience (if any), a statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, a detailed CV and two mandatory essays. Candidates will be short-listed for an interview based on the application form submitted. The short-listed candidates will have a round of personal interviews with the team.
Important Dates
Dates
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Events
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2nd October - 21st November
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Applications Open
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1st December
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Candidates Shortlisted
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2nd December - 13th December
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Personal Interviews
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15th December
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Final Selection
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Eligibility
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Must be a minimum of 20 years old or a maximum of 35 years of age, as of 2nd October 2021.
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Must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (3 year minimum), as of 2nd October 2021 (We will consider final year Undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and extracurricular participation).
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Must be an Indian citizen.
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May work full-time or part-time, but must commit to completing the 12 month program, starting from January 2022 till end December 2022.
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Be open to working in or studying sectors outside their comfort zone.
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Understand that this program does not guarantee a job placement directly upon completion of the fellowship.
We understand that each individual is unique and their paths are different. Since we are looking for diversity, creativity, passion and strong commitment towards the public sector from potential fellows, the minimum eligibility criteria given above is only a basic guideline. There is no perfect candidate. Each candidate will be selected after thorough reviewing of applications. We are open to applicants who do not fit the mould, and consider applications on a case-by-case basis. If you truly feel you deserve to be part of this cohort, fill up the Application Form and make sure you fill all the required fields.
How to Apply?
For more information, click here.