Ashoka University
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Interpret, Influence, and Impact as Future Global Leaders
YSP Policy, Society & International Affairs (PSIA) is a certified 5-day residential programme that equips high schoolers to translate knowledge into action, creating impact that resonates across communities and systems. The programme is crafted for motivated students entering Grades 9–12 who are eager to delve into the dynamic world of policy, governance, and diplomacy.
What You Will Explore:
Master the Essentials of Diplomacy, Governance, and Public Administration
Today’s world is defined by rapid shifts and deep uncertainties. Decisions made in one corner of the globe can instantly affect global economies, markets, communities and even individual lives. The pressing issues of our times — from climate change and public health emergencies, to shifting geopolitical orders and digital disinformation, and to global migration and institutional governance — are complex and multifaceted. In this environment, students must understand the nature of competing priorities, draw insights from multiple perspectives, and be adaptable as conditions change.
Through explorations of topics such as global security, foreign policy in a multipolar world, the China-US rivalry through the lenses of Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism, drones and the changing nature of security, and the influence of deepfakes on democracy, students examine how global and domestic forces interact to shape societies and futures. Â For instance, addressing climate change requires bringing together international relations to negotiate global treaties, public policy to design effective governance frameworks, economics to balance growth with sustainability, and media studies to shape public opinion and counter disinformation.
Learn from Global Faculty and Leading Practitioners
Students will not only study theory, they will learn from people who have implemented policy decisions and reforms at different levels. The YSP PSIA experience is anchored by Ashoka University’s global faculty, practitioners and international experts from the fields of international relations, political science, public policy, history, economics, sociology, journalism, and media studies.
Our faculty for 2027 includes leading academicians and practitioners such as Prof. Varun Sahni, Prof. Kanti Bajpai, Prof. Ananya Sharma, Prof. Arpita Das , Krishanu Chakraborty, Prof. Tisha Srivastav , Prof. Natasha Badhwar , and Rai Sengupta (Evaluation Consultant, UNICEF).
Students may also have the opportunity to learn from eminent voices such as Shivshankar Menon and Ravi Sreedharan (Founder & Director, Indian School of Development and Management – ISDM), who bring deep experience from diplomacy, public policy, to institution-building.
Through these interactions, students will engage with diplomats, journalists, policymakers, and practitioners who will bring their experiences of working with governments, international organizations, think tanks, and media institutions to the classrooms. The experts will discuss what it means to negotiate across interests, make decisions under constraints, and communicate with diverse audiences.
Hands-on Projects at YSP PSIA
At the heart of YSP PSIA is learning by doing, as students go beyond theory to practice diplomacy, negotiation, and strategy in real-world scenario exercises. Students will:
A Holistic College Experience
Beyond academic enrichment, YSP PSIA offers students a vibrant taste of university life. Scholars stay in on-campus residences, share meals in Ashoka’s dining spaces, and take part in activities ranging from sports and Talent Night to film screenings, quizzes, debates, and networking opportunities. Along the way, they build lasting friendships and meaningful connections with like-minded peers from across India and around the world.
Career Pathways
YSP PSIA equips students with intellectual tools and analytical skills essential to navigate today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. This programme is a fit for students who plan to pursue the following professional pathways in the future:
Through YSP-PSIA, students will gain an early exposure to global affairs, governance, and policy pathways, equipping them to make informed choices for higher education and career pathways in a rapidly changing world.
Applications for Ashoka Young Scholars Programme (YSP) – Campus 2027 will open on December 1, 2026.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming cycle, follow us on social media and check our website for announcements.
Connect with us: LinkedIn | Instagram
Knowledge:
Skills:
Attitude:
Applications:
A sample schedule for the YSP PSIA is given below. (tentative schedule, subject to change)
YSP PSIA Programme Schedule
Visiting Professor of International Relations, Entrepreneurship and Management, Ashoka University, Chair, Ashoka Centre for China Studies
PhD University of Delhi, Ancient India
M.A. (History) St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi
B.A. (Hons) History St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi
Have questions about YSP PSIA?
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“When I came here, I didn’t really know what to expect, but today, after attending these sessions, I’ve come to expect that I’ll be gaining a lot more skills than I originally thought I would, because I felt that it would be something like boring college lectures. But it’s a very nice, fun and interactive experience, also because the professors and the people who are teaching you tell you stories from their own lives. They tell you their own experiences and how you can apply the skills that they teach you in your own life… I think [the session that has stuck with me] would be my third session, How to Ask Difficult Questions Through the News, with Prof. Tisha Srivastava. I was expecting something like average news media coverage. I’ve had one of those sessions before, but this was completely new, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of different aspects that I hadn’t considered… I’m looking forward to the session by Shivshankar Menon, the former Foreign Secretary of India, because he’s a very high-up bureaucrat in the Government of India, and he’ll probably have a lot of real-life experience to share with us.”
– Agastya (Grade 12)
Somerville School, Noida
“Out of all of the classes, there were two classes that I enjoyed the most. The first one was by Prof. Varun Sahni. His class was really intellectual, and it really opened my mind towards broad perspectives. The second lecture was by Prof. Rai Sengupta, who is a UNICEF evaluator. She made the class very interactive. She took a lot of quizzes, and it was really fun. And also because I like talking to people who are involved in the United Nations, I think that programme really stood out to me.”
– Samya (Grade 12)
Caledonian International School, Pathankot
