Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) at IIM Bangalore is a unique 14-month hybrid programme leading to the award of a Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) [MMS (PP)] degree. Launched in 2002 with support from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, and the UNDP, the programme is designed to enhance leadership, management, and policy-framing skills among policymakers, public administrators, and public policy aspirants from both government and non-government sectors. The programme is offered in a hybrid format combining online learning (via IIMBx) and on-campus residential modules, with students spending approximately 21-25 weeks on campus across two modules (Module 3: 13 weeks; Module 6: 4 weeks). The tuition fee for Open (Non-Government) candidates is Rs. 20,00,000. The programme accepts CAT, GMAT, GRE, or the IIMB Test for admission, making it accessible to a wide range of working professionals.

Admissions for the PGPPM 2026 batch (23rd cohort) are now closed. The application window was April 18 to June 30, 2026, with interviews held on July 26-27, 2026, and the batch registered on August 23, 2026. For the upcoming 2027 batch (24th cohort), admission dates are yet to be officially announced. Based on the 2026 cycle, applications are tentatively expected to open around April 2027.

Key Points

The programme leads to a Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) [MMS (PP)] degree - a full postgraduate degree from IIM Bangalore.
The hybrid format allows working professionals to continue their jobs during the online modules (Modules 1, 2, 4, and 5), with only two on-campus residential stints required.
Two admission routes are available: DoPT Sponsored (for government officers from All India Services and Central/State Civil Services) and Open/Non-Government (for professionals from civil society, NGOs, PSUs, international agencies, consulting, and CSR units).
From 2026, the programme is open to non-government candidates for the first time through the "Open" route, significantly expanding access.
Participants must submit an Integrative Policy Paper (IPP) as a capstone project, applying classroom learning to a real policy-sensitive issue.
The programme includes a Policy Immersion and Policy Practicum module for hands-on policy exposure.
Alumni occupy senior positions in government ministries, SEBI, TRAI, IMF, World Bank, UN bodies, and leading consulting firms.

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IIM Bangalore PGPPM Fees

The tuition fee for Open (Non-Government) candidates for PGPPM 2026 is Rs. 20,00,000. This covers the programme tuition for the 14-month hybrid course. Accommodation charges during the on-campus residential component (approximately 21-25 weeks) are payable separately on a pro-rata basis based on accommodation choices. Government (DoPT) candidates have separate fee arrangements as per the DoPT notification. An application fee of Rs. 1,500 is payable by all applicants; those opting for the IIMB Test pay an additional Rs. 1,200 as testing fee.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Open/Non-Government Candidates)	Rs. 20,00,000
Application Fee (Non-refundable)	Rs. 1,500
IIMB Test Fee (if opting for IIMB Test, Non-refundable)	Rs. 1,200
Accommodation (On-campus residential component, ~21-25 weeks)	Payable separately (pro-rata, based on accommodation choice)
Total Fees (Tuition only, excluding accommodation and mess)	Rs. 20,00,000

The tuition fee of Rs. 20,00,000 is for Open (Non-Government) candidates for the 2026 batch.
Government (DoPT) candidates should refer to the DoPT notification for applicable fee details.
Campus accommodation is available on a first-come, first-served basis during the on-campus modules.
Specific accommodation charges are communicated at the time of enrolment.
The fees mentioned are for the 2026 batch.
Fees for the 2027 batch are yet to be officially announced and may be subject to revision.
Education loans are available from leading banks for this programme given the IIMB brand and strong alumni outcomes.

IIM Bangalore PGPPM Admission 2026

Admissions to the PGPPM are conducted annually and are open to both government-sponsored (DoPT) and non-government (Open) candidates. The selection process involves shortlisting based on academic background, work experience, test scores (CAT/GMAT/GRE/IIMB Test), and a Personal Interview along with a Case Analysis exercise. The 2026 batch admission cycle is now closed. For the 2027 batch, dates are tentatively expected to follow a similar timeline (applications opening around April 2027).

PGPPM 2026 Admission Dates (Open/Non-Government Candidates)

Event	Date
Application Window Opens	April 18, 2026
Application Window Closes	June 30, 2026 (5:00 PM IST)
IIMB Test (for those opting)	July 6, 2026 (Sunday)
Personal Interviews (Bengaluru and New Delhi)	July 26-27, 2026
Offers and Waitlist Released	August 4, 2026 (tentative)
Offer Acceptance Last Date	August 12, 2026 (tentative)
Withdrawal Last Date	August 15, 2026 (tentative)
Programme Registration	August 23, 2026

Accepted Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Relevant Details
CAT 2025	Used for PGPPM 2026 admissions (score valid at time of application)
GMAT	Valid score between July 31, 2021 and June 30, 2026; IIMB PGPPM GMAT Code: Q9H-KK-94
GRE	Valid score between July 31, 2021 and June 30, 2026; IIMB PGPPM GRE Code: 7173
IIMB Test	Conducted on July 6, 2026; Testing fee Rs. 1,200

Note: For the 2027 batch, updated exam validity windows and test dates will be announced with the new admission notification.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria (Open/Non-Government Candidates)

Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience after graduation, preferably in a public policy domain, as on July 31, 2026 (for 2026 batch). Internships and part-time work are not counted.
A valid CAT, GMAT, GRE, or IIMB Test score at the time of application submission.

Admission Process

Submit online application with academic transcripts, work experience letters, Statement of Purpose, test scores, and two reference letters.
Shortlisting is based on academic background, quality of work experience, test scores, and demonstrable aptitude in public systems and policy.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a Personal Interview and a Case Analysis exercise on the same day, conducted in Bengaluru or New Delhi.
Final offers are made based on a composite score; the number of offers depends on seat availability and minimum cut-off criteria.
IIMB follows reservations for EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories in accordance with the law.

IIM Bangalore: Students' Opinion

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IIM Bangalore maintains a 100% placement record for both summer internships and final job placements. The summer placement process starts in November and lasts five days. Students are eligible for internships from the second term of their two-year program, with final placements in the second year. The highest salary package offered is over 70 lakhs, with an average salary of 31 lakhs. During internships, the average stipend is about 1.5 lakhs.

The placement cell helps students secure roles in fields like consulting, product management, investment banking, general management, and marketing. Companies like EY BCPI, Kearney Consulting, McKinsey, Accenture, and KPMG offer monthly stipends ranging from 1 lakh to 2 lakhs. Projects cover various domains, including finance, engineering, and hospitality. The total fee for the two-year program is around 25 lakhs, with each term costing about 4,55,000. Financial aid is available through government schemes, company offerings, and need-based scholarships, while merit-based scholarships are limited.

Students must submit a form and documentation at the start of the term to apply for financial aid, and scholarships are awarded after student interviews. The college’s placement cell actively supports both internship and job placement opportunities.

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IIM Bangalore PGPPM Scholarships 2026

IIMB does not have a widely publicised dedicated scholarship programme specifically for PGPPM Open candidates at this time. However, government-sponsored (DoPT) candidates typically have their fees and accommodation covered by the Government of India as part of the sponsorship arrangement. Open candidates may explore external scholarships and education loan options. The programme's strong alumni network and career outcomes in government, consulting, and international organisations make it a high-ROI investment for public policy professionals.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Options

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Benefit
Government of India (DoPT) Sponsorship	Government officers nominated through DoPT route	Fees and accommodation typically covered by GoI
Education Loans (SBI, HDFC, Axis, ICICI, etc.)	Open candidates with admission offer	Covers tuition and living expenses; no collateral typically required for IIM programmes
External Scholarships (Fulbright, Ford Foundation, etc.)	As per individual scholarship criteria	Varies; candidates are encouraged to explore independently

Open candidates are advised to contact the PGPPM office (pgppmoffice@iimb.ac.in) for the latest information on any financial aid or scholarship options available.
Education loans from leading banks are available given the IIMB brand and strong placement outcomes of PGPPM alumni.

IIM Bangalore PGPPM Placement 2026

Alumni Career Outcomes

Organisation Type	Examples
Government	Joint Secretaries, Revenue Secretaries, senior IAS/IFS/IRS officers
Regulatory Bodies	SEBI, TRAI
Infrastructure	Namma Metro
NGOs/Social Enterprises	Antara Foundation, SELCO Foundation, Access Health
Government Initiatives	Invest India
International Organisations	IMF, World Bank, various UN bodies
Consulting	PwC India

IIM Bangalore PG Program Public Policy & Management Ranking

Financial Times Ranking

#34 out of 100 in International 2026

Outlook Ranking

#2 out of 25 in Top Public Colleges in India 2026

QS Ranking

#52 out of 301 in International 2026

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IIM Bangalore PGPPM FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the DoPT route and the Open route for PGPPM admission?

Ans. The DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) route is for mid-career government officers from All India Services, Central and State Civil Services, who are nominated and sponsored by the Government of India. Their fees and accommodation are typically covered by the government. The Open route, introduced from 2026, is for non-government professionals from civil society, NGOs, PSUs, international agencies, consulting firms, and CSR units of corporates. Open candidates apply independently, pay their own fees (Rs. 20,00,000 tuition), and go through a separate selection process.

Ques. Can I pursue PGPPM while continuing my current job?

Ans. Yes, the hybrid format is specifically designed to allow working professionals to continue their jobs. Modules 1, 2, 4, and 5 are delivered online through IIMBx (IIMB's MOOC platform), allowing participants to learn while working. Only Module 3 (13 weeks) and Module 6 (4 weeks) require on-campus presence, totalling approximately 21-25 weeks of residential time over 14 months.

Ques. What entrance exam scores are accepted for PGPPM admission?

Ans. PGPPM accepts CAT, GMAT, and GRE scores. Candidates who do not have any of these scores can opt for the IIMB Test, which is conducted specifically for PGPPM admissions (fee: Rs. 1,200). For the 2026 batch, CAT 2025 scores were accepted, and GMAT/GRE scores valid between July 31, 2021 and June 30, 2026 were accepted. The IIMB PGPPM GMAT code is Q9H-KK-94 and GRE code is 7173.

Ques. What degree does PGPPM lead to? Is it equivalent to an MBA?

Ans. PGPPM leads to a Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) [MMS (PP)] degree from IIM Bangalore. It is not an MBA but a specialised postgraduate degree focused on public policy and management. It is a full degree programme (not a diploma), awarded by IIM Bangalore, which is EQUIS-accredited. The degree is highly valued in government, international organisations, and the public policy consulting space.

Ques. What is the Integrative Policy Paper (IPP) in PGPPM?

Ans. The Integrative Policy Paper (IPP) is a mandatory capstone project that all PGPPM participants must submit. It requires participants to apply concepts and principles learned during the programme to a specific, real-world policy-sensitive issue. Many IPPs have led to published research papers or have been directly adapted for use by policy-relevant organisations. The IPP is a key differentiator of the PGPPM programme and demonstrates the participant's ability to bridge theory and practice in public policy.

Ques. What are the career outcomes for PGPPM alumni?

Ans. PGPPM alumni occupy senior positions across a wide range of organisations. Government alumni have gone on to become Joint Secretaries, Revenue Secretaries, and senior IAS/IFS/IRS officers. Non-government alumni work in organisations such as SEBI, TRAI, Namma Metro, Antara Foundation, SELCO Foundation, Access Health, Invest India, IMF, World Bank, PwC India, and various UN bodies. The programme is particularly valuable for professionals seeking to move into or advance within the public policy, governance, and development sectors.

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Sawant Divya Ravindra

3.9Helpful

PG Program, Public Policy & Management

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2023(Enrolled 2022)

IIM Bangalore PGPBA Student experience

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Course pedagogy
Course curriculum which includes multiple electives

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Highly technical courses for PGPBA

Fees and Financial Aid:

Each term fee is about 455000. Scholarships are need-based. Only a few merit-based scholarships. There is a financial aid form circulated at the start of the term. Extensive documents are required for eligibility. Final scholarships are assigned based on interviews with the students.

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TALATI SHARVI KALPESH

4.5Helpful

PG Program, Public Policy & Management

Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023(Enrolled 2021)

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Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees for the college are about 25 lakhs. There are opportunities for getting scholarships, and financial assistance in form of loans. Also, the placement cell facilitates and helps with internships and placements.

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Gracel Joe Kharmawlong

4.7Helpful

PG Program, Public Policy & Management

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2023(Enrolled 2021)

IIMB and its review

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees are tremendously high at 25L for two years, but the opportunities that come with post-placements are also worth considering. As a suggestion, I think it is worth it. Many companies offer financial assistance but there are also various schemes provided by the government.

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