Master of Arts in Political Leadership and Government (MPG)
The MPG is a two-year postgraduate degree program designed to develop informed, ethical, and capable leaders for public life. The program combines academic rigor with practical exposure to governance and policymaking. The first year is conducted on campus and includes classroom sessions, field visits, and study tours, enabling students to build a strong foundation in political systems, public policy, and leadership. The second year is off campus, focusing on immersive internships and professional attachments that provide hands-on experience in political institutions, government bodies, and related organizations.
To meet the evolving needs of the political landscape, the program offers two distinct concentrations:
-
Political Management Track (PMT): Focused on executive leadership, public administration, and the management of political institutions and personnel.
-
Strategy Management Track (SMT): Focused on the mechanics of modern politics, including campaign management, data analytics, and strategic communication.
Eligibility requires a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in a 3- or 4-year undergraduate degree from a UGC-approved university (45% for OBC candidates belonging to Maharashtra). The selection process is conducted in two phases: a written test in Phase 1, followed by a personal interview in Phase 2 to assess both knowledge and aptitude for public leadership. The detailed syllabus is outlined below.
Competing Politico Economic Ideologies
Working of Indian Constitution
Local Governments in India
Psephology and Election Survey
Rural Immersion
Biography Presentation
Scientific Studies of Mind, Matter, Spirit and Consciousness
Yoga
The curriculum is designed to integrate academic knowledge with real-world political exposure and leadership development. Graduates of the MPG program are equipped to pursue diverse roles in the public life. Career pathways include:
1. Political Leadership & Electoral Roles
-
Elected Representative (MP / MLA / Local Government): Represents citizens and participates in lawmaking and governance.
-
Political Advisor: Provides strategic guidance to political leaders and parties.
-
Political Strategist: Develops long-term political and electoral strategies.
-
Election Strategist: Designs campaign plans, voter outreach, and mobilization efforts.
-
Political Campaign Manager: Leads and manages election campaigns.
2. Policy & Governance Roles
-
Policy Analyst: Evaluates public policies and their social and economic impact.
-
Government Consultant: Advises government bodies on policy and implementation.
-
Public Administration Specialist: Manages public programs and governance systems.
-
Legislative Assistant: Supports lawmakers through research and drafting.
3. Research, Data & Global Engagement
-
Psephologist: Analyzes electoral data and voter behaviour.
-
Country Risk Analyst: Assesses political and regulatory risks affecting investment decisions.
-
International Development Consultant: Works on governance and policy projects with global organizations
The total program fee is ₹3,10,000 for two years, which includes study tours and course materials. The International Study Tour, if opted, will be charged separately.
The program also offers merit-based financial support to deserving candidates. The scholarship details are outlined below.
In addition to the scholarships listed above, MIT School of Government also offers the MLA Scholarship, which provides a fee waiver of ₹110,000/-. Specific eligibility criteria and score requirements for this scholarship are available upon request and separate from the merit-based scores listed in the main table.