GCPP: Technology and Policy

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Technology is no longer just a tool; it's at the centre of national power, economic growth, and societal change. This raises important questions for all of us:

  • What will it take to strengthen India's own research and development ecosystem? 

  • How can we build technology responsibly and anticipate its unintended consequences?

  • Why are technology and national power increasingly part of the same conversation?

This programme is designed to enable participants to answer such questions. It equips technologists, lawyers, civil society, and policymakers with the knowledge and skills to understand the economics of tech platforms, navigate the political economy, find an ethical orientation, and lead the public discourse. Participants will gain the skills and frameworks to create technology responsibly, advancing the public interest alongside business interests.

Timeline and Key Dates

Programme Begins
Saturday, 10 January 2026

Programme Ends
Saturday, 4 April 2026

Early Bird Deadline (10% scholarship)
Sunday, 7 December 2025

Application Deadline
Sunday, 4 January 2026

Takshashila Academic Conference (online)
7 and 8 February 2026

Workshop Dates (in-person, near Bengaluru)
27, 28, and 29 March 2026

Designed for full-time professionals, the GCPP offers a seamless, mostly online learning experience. The programme spans 12 weeks, which includes weekly webinars on Saturdays and some guest webinars on weekdays. The highlights of the programme include an online Academic Conference and an immersive in-person workshop.

The Workshop

The flagship Policy Simulation Workshop immerses participants in team-based policy challenges. Participants will apply frameworks to understand emerging technologies and their implications for society, and develop governance strategies accordingly.

Workshop topics focus on issues that are strategically relevant and timely. Topics for previous cohorts have included strengthening India’s R&D ecosystem, AI governance, semiconductor policy, supply chain resilience, and rare-earth minerals security.

Participants will need to bear expenses for travel to the venue, food and accommodation for the three days. The workshop will take place over three days near Bengaluru.

Curriculum - Core Modules (weeks 1-5)

Policy Analysis and Concepts

This module explores the foundations of public policy, from understanding nations, states, and governments to exploring the paradoxes and pitfalls faced by governments.

    • Introduction to Public Policy

    • Nations, States, and Governments

    • Paradoxes and Pitfalls of the Government

    • Goals of the Government and Things Governments Do

    • Introduction to Kautilya’s Arthashasthra

Economic Reasoning for Public Policy

This module explores the fundamental principles of economics, from understanding economic reasoning and the price system to trade and government intervention in markets.

    • Introduction to Economic Reasoning

    • The Price System

    • Market Dynamics

    • Introduction to Macroeconomics

    • Trade

    • Government Intervention in Markets

Effective Communication and Media Engagement

This module aims to get you to start writing. It also provides an overview of the role of narratives and their use in political and policy communication.

    • Basics of Writing

    • Understanding the Media Environment

    • Political and Policy Narratives

Curriculum - Technology and Policy Modules (weeks 5-12)

Politics and Policy in the AI Age

This module examines the economic, social and geopolitical impacts of technology in the AI age.

    • Introduction to Politics and Policy in the AI Age

    • Ethics in Technology and Policy

    • AI diffusion and its Impact on the Economy

    • AI and National Power

    • India's Tech Policy Landscape

Responsible Strategy

This module covers frameworks to anticipate society’s reaction to technology and take well-informed policy decisions that prioritise the public interest.

    • Social Impact Analysis and Responsible Strategy

    • Policy Simulation Exercise

Information Economics

The economics of information goods differ from conventional goods. This module examines how the distribution and utilization of information affect markets and decision-making processes.

    • Nature and Pricing of Information Goods

    • Switching Costs and Lock-In

    • Network Effects

    • Setting Standards

    • Market Power and Regulation

    • Market Failures

High Tech Geopolitics

Nations are vying for dominance in critical and emerging technologies. This module explores the relationship between technology and national power and examines developments in key sectors.

    • Technology and National Power

    • State of India's Tech Ecosystem

    • Case Studies in High Tech Geopolitics

Fee Structure

The programme fee for individuals is ₹42,000 (plus GST). Fees, once paid, are non-refundable. Participants will have the chance to defer their admission to one subsequent batch.

Participants will need to bear expenses for travel to the venue, food and accommodation for the three days. The workshop will take place over three days near Bengaluru.

Limited financial scholarships are available for talented individuals facing financial constraints. Since admissions are conducted on a rolling basis, early applicants will have an advantage in securing scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions
Faculty
Nitin Pai
Nitin Pai

Nitin Pai is co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. His current research includes the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific; defence economics and the politics of radically networked societies.

Pranay Kotasthane
Pranay Kotasthane

Pranay Kotasthane is deputy director of the Takshashila Institution. Pranay’s current research includes high tech geopolitics and the politics of radically networked societies. Pranay teaches public policy, international relations, and public finance at Takshashila’s graduate and post-graduate programmes.

Anupam Manur
Anupam Manur

Anupam Manur is an Assistant Professor at the Takshashila Institution. He was previously working as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore, after completing his Masters in International Business (Economics) from Lancaster University.

Mihir Mahajan
Mihir Mahajan

Mihir Mahajan is Chief of Staff at IP Spring LLC, a boutique US law firm that specializes in intellectual property matters. Mihir’s experience includes developing IP strategy, managing patent portfolios, patent transactions, and preparing and prosecuting patent applications.

Ashish Kulkarni
Ashish Kulkarni

Ashish teaches courses in economics and statistics at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune. He blogs daily at econforeverybody.com.

Shambhavi Naik
Shambhavi Naik

Shambhavi Naik is a Research Fellow with Takshashila’s Technology and Policy programme. She is the chairperson of Takshashila’s Health & Life Sciences Policy.

Manoj Kewalramani
Manoj Kewalramani

Manoj Kewalramani is a Fellow-China Studies at The Takshashila Institution. His research focuses on Chinese politics, foreign policy and approaches to new technologies.

Sarthak Pradhan
Sarthak Pradhan

Sarthak is an Associate Fellow at The Takshashila Institution. He has completed the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Public Policy from The Takshashila Institution.

Rahul Matthan
Rahul Matthan

Rahul Matthan is a Fellow with Takshashila’s Technology & Policy Research Programme.

Bharath Reddy
Bharath Reddy

Bharath Reddy is an Associate Fellow with the High-Tech Geopolitics Programme at the Takshashila Institution.


Shobhankita Reddy
Shobhankita Reddy

Shobhankita Reddy is a research analyst with the High Tech Geopolitics programme.

Suman Joshi
Suman Joshi

Suman is the programme manager for the Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (Advanced Public Policy) programme at Takshashila.

Faculty

Student Testimonials

  • Karthik Reddy, GCPP (TP)

    For over a decade, I've been at the crossroads of finance and tech. GCPP (Tech and Policy) offered a deep dive into policy, regulation, and ethics within tech. Despite being online, Takshashila excelled in delivering engaging webinars and workshops with experienced professionals. The course equipped me with actionable tools and frameworks, and introduced me to a diverse cohort, enriching our discussions with varied insights.

  • Divya Pinge, GCPP (TP)

    I work at the crossroads of technology and policy. Taking the GCPP (TP) greatly aided my grasp of fundamental public policy principles and their practical implementations in real-world situations. The faculty's willingness to listen to diverse student perspectives and engage in open dialogues was remarkable. I consistently apply these concepts in my daily work. I wholeheartedly endorse this course.

  • Maulik Thakkar, GCPP (TP)

    As an urban policy planner engaged in technology policy governance, the GCPP (TP) programme at Takshashila was immensely valuable. The course provided a stimulating environment, uniting like-minded professionals from diverse backgrounds. What set this programme apart was its ability to incorporate real-world developments, keeping the course content relevant. Contextualising tech policy in the Indian landscape added depth to my understanding. Crafting policy ideas from scratch and collaborating in group projects were both enlightening and practical experiences. I take away fond memories from the few months immersed in this programme.

  • Arinjay Singh, GCPP (TP)

    The courses were well-structured, diving deep into the intersection of technology and public policy. The exceptional faculty brought valuable insights and real-world perspectives that greatly enriched the learning experience. The interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions fostered a collaborative environment, enhanced by the diverse peer group from various professional backgrounds.