MBA Public Policy & Management

IIM Bangalore’s Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management is a 14-month hybrid programme leading to a Master of Management Studies in Public Policy. Ranked #2 in Management by NIRF 2025, the programme is designed for senior civil servants and public policy professionals and also accepts non-government applicants through an Open track. Total fees are INR 20,00,000 for Open track participants, while DoPT-sponsored government officers have fees funded by the Government of India.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Offers expected 04 August 2026.

Key Points

• Hybrid format with on-campus modules and IIMB MOOC-based online modules
• Open track for non-government applicants launched from the 2025 cohort
• Designed for mid-career professionals in governance and public policy

IIM Bangalore PGP-PPM Fees 2026

• DoPT-sponsored government officers have programme fees covered by the Government of India.
• Application fee is INR 1,500 and the IIMB Test fee is INR 1,200 if applicable.

IIM Bangalore PGP-PPM Admission 2026

• Government officers follow a separate DoPT nomination process with different timelines.
• Interviews for Open track were conducted in Bengaluru and New Delhi.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
• Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience as of July 31, 2026, preferably in public policy domains
• Valid score in CAT 2025, GMAT, GRE, or the IIMB-administered test is required for the Open track
• DoPT-sponsored government officers from All India Services, Central Services, or State Civil Services are eligible through the government nomination route

Admission Process

• Submit an online application with academic records, work experience documents, and test scores at campus.iimb.ac.in
• Appear for the IIMB Test if not holding a valid CAT, GMAT, or GRE score
• Shortlisted candidates are called for a case analysis and personal interview in Bengaluru or New Delhi
• Final selection is based on academic profile, quality of work experience, test score, and interview performance
• Government officers apply through the DoPT sponsorship route via their cadre-controlling authority

✓ Opt for this if

• Working in government or public sector with at least 5 years of experience
• Seeking formal management education alongside an active career in policy
• Want an IIM credential focused on governance and public administration
• Prefer a hybrid format that allows continued government service during the programme
• Aspiring to senior policy leadership roles in government or development organizations

✗ Skip if

• Under 5 years of work experience as the programme requires mid-career profile
• Looking for a full-time on-campus MBA with campus recruitment
• Private sector career goals requiring the standard IIM PGP brand
• Seeking a programme with structured campus placement support

IIM Bangalore PGP-PPM Scholarships 2026

• Government-sponsored participants have all fees borne by their cadre-controlling authority.
• Open track participants may explore education loans through leading banks for fee financing.

As mentioned, IIM Bangalore offers admission to PG Program Public Policy & Management program based on CAT percentile. IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff 2024 percentile is 99 for the General category. Further, CAT cutoff percentile is 75 for OBC , 70 for SC , 65 for ST and 75 for EWS category. Check IIM Bangalore Cutoff

IIM Bangalore PG Program Public Policy & Management Cutoff Year-wise Trends

The section below shows year-wise trends in IIM Bangalore PG Program Public Policy & Management Cutoff. According to year-wise trends, admission to the IIM Bangalore PG Program Public Policy & Management program in 2024 was closed at the 99 percentile , whereas in 2023, the closing percentile was 99 across all categories.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, IIM Bangalore ranks 3 out of 370 colleges in India for its PG Program Public Policy & Management program.

• 57 out of 100 under Financial Times Management Ranking 2025.
• 2 out of 125 under NIRF Management Ranking 2025.
• 2 out of 25 under Outlook Management Ranking 2025.
• 3 out of 100 under IIRF Management Ranking 2025.
• 53 out of 251 under QS World University Management Ranking 2025.

Read more on IIM Bangalore Rankings here

IIM Bangalore PGP-PPM FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the DoPT Sponsored and Open track in IIM Bangalore PGPPM?

Ans. The DoPT Sponsored track is exclusively for serving government officers from All India Services, Central Services, and State Civil Services, who are nominated by the Department of Personnel and Training. Their fees are fully funded by the Government of India. The Open track, launched from the 2025 cohort, is for non-government applicants including private sector professionals and development sector workers who apply independently and self-fund the INR 20,00,000 programme fee.

Ques. What test scores are accepted for the Open track of IIM Bangalore PGPPM?

Ans. Open track applicants can submit a valid CAT 2025, GMAT, or GRE score. Applicants who do not hold a valid score in any of these tests can appear for the IIMB-administered test, which was held on July 6, 2026 for the 2026 admission cycle. GMAT and GRE scores are accepted only if they fall within a validity window specified by IIMB in the admission notification.

Ques. Does IIM Bangalore PGPPM lead to a full MBA degree?

Ans. No. The PGPPM leads to a Master of Management Studies in Public Policy degree, not an MBA. It is a 14-month programme specifically designed for policy and governance professionals. The degree is conferred by IIM Bangalore following the IIM Act, which granted IIMs degree-granting status from 2019 onward. It is distinct from the flagship 2-year PGPM which awards an MBA degree.

Ques. Can private sector professionals apply for IIM Bangalore PGPPM?

Ans. Yes. Since 2025, IIM Bangalore opened the PGPPM to private sector and development sector professionals through the Open track. Applicants need a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks, and a valid test score. Experience in public policy, development, health, education, or governance domains is preferred but not mandatory.

Ques. What is the programme structure of IIM Bangalore PGPPM?

Ans. The PGPPM is structured as a 14-month hybrid programme with six modules. Two modules require physical attendance on the IIMB campus in Bengaluru, covering 13 weeks and 4 weeks respectively. The remaining four modules are delivered through IIMB’s MOOC-based online platform, allowing participants to continue working during the programme. This design specifically suits senior government officers who cannot take extended leave.

Ques. What are the career outcomes for IIM Bangalore PGPPM participants?

Ans. Government officer participants typically return to their cadre after the programme, equipped with management tools to take on senior administrative leadership. Open track participants have moved into senior policy roles in international development organizations, think tanks, consulting firms with a public sector practice, and government advisory bodies. The IIM Bangalore network and the programme’s focus on real-world policy challenges strengthens career trajectories in governance and public administration.