JSGP engages students with a well thought of research based curriculum, says Programme Director Pankaj Arora

Program Director Pankaj Arora Jindal School of Government and Public Policy speaks in-depth about the origins of the institute in an interview with Shiksha.com. He discusses in great depth the numerous programmes that are available, the application process, and the selection criteria, among other things. Arora also talks about the many steps the institute has made to prepare students for the workforce.

Arora has over14 years of rich academic experience and has previously workied with prestegious organisations such as Bennett University- Times of India Group, Manya- The Princeton Review and Career launcher.

Read the complete interview in detail

Q: Tell us a brief about Jindal School of Government and Public Policy

A: JSGP engages students with a well thought of research based curriculum taught by Faculties who have themselves studied from top colleges of the world. Jindal School of Government and Public Policy also promotes interdisciplinary approach thus making as way better than anybody else in the country. The teaching pedagogy, curriculum and research opportunities are all on international standards which has helped a lot of students to land at their Dream colleges either for a master’s degree or a lateral entry.

Q: About the inception of Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, various courses/specializations offered

A: Jindal School of Government and Public Policy started with MA in Public Policy under the Leadership of Dean R. Sudarshan (M.A - Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi); M.Phil.(University of Oxford), The founding Dean of JSGP, in 2012 and now it has 4 programmes namely BA(Hons.) Economics, MA Economics, BA(Hons.) Public Policy and MA Public policy.

Q: What is the admission process? How does the format make sure that the right students get selected/shortlisted?

A: Admissions process is a very holistic process where not just one thing but we test student on various aspects like answers to the supplemental questions (to be filled at the time of filling up the application), Performance in interview and entrance exam, extracurricular activities as mentioned by the student in the application form. Based upon all above a student is shortlisted and offered the admission to school. However, for students applying to Economics program, should remember that there is a lot of mathematics that you will have to study in coming three years and lot of what you have already studied will be tested during the interview.

Q: Apart from academics what other aspects of a student are checked while selection.

A: Apart from academics, students are judged on how well they can communicate their ideas and the enthusiasm and obsession for learning Economics and Public Policy , because both these subject not only require you to be academically very good , but the passion for the subject and the zest to keep yourself updated about what’s happening around.

Q: What are some initiatives being taken/planned by you school to make its student’s industry ready?

A: To make students industry-ready we motivate students to join atleast 2 internships during their program so that they get the feel of how is it going to be in the outside world. Also, we encourage students to work for some NGO to get the experience of ground work.

Q: As a School, How does Jindal School of Government and Public Policy ensure that students gets extra exposure apart from academics?

A: We encourage students to join Dual Degree program which we run in collaboration with Queen Mary College, London. Apart from this there are more than 250+ universities that we are tied up with where students can do summer programs, semester exchange programs etc..