Policy is not just about governance, it is the invisible thread that shapes our everyday lives. From the price of food in the market to the quality of air we breathe, from education in classrooms to innovation in industries, policy builds the foundations of a nation’s future.

India’s growth demands a new generation of changemakers who can think beyond symptoms, connect the dots, and solve problems at scale.

🇮🇳 Policy shapes your world, here’s how you can shape policy

CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE

STIP-C

SAIP-C

SWIP-C

At India House, we believe that engaging with policy is not limited to policymakers alone, it begins with thought, grows with action, and matures with expression. Our challenges are designed to take you step by step into the ecosystem of policy thinking, practice, and writing

Start Thinking in Policy Challenge (STIP-C)

7 days to build your foundation in policy thinking
This is the perfect challenge for you if you’re exploring public problem-solving for the first time. Whether you’re a student,  fresh graduate,
OR
corporate professional, entrepreneur or just a curious individual interested in policy
In just a week’s time, you’ll tackle short structured individual tasks that help you:
  1. Analyze how policy impacts daily life
  2. Break down complex problems
  3. Frame thoughtful solutions to social challenges
  4. Balance empathy, trade-offs, and policy thinking

Start Acting in Policy Challenge (SAIP-C)

14 days to practice how policies actually get done
For professionals with 1+ years in the policy ecosystem,  whether in government, think tanks, consulting, or political spaces, this challenge is ideal for you!
OR
Past STIP-C participants who have completed the challenge
Over two weeks, you’ll take on individual challenges that help you:
  1. Draft policy briefs & note sheets
  2. Read policies, and see what’s in between the lines
  3. Map stakeholders & political risks
  4. Build data stories & raw implementation plans

Start Writing in Policy Challenge (SWIP-C)

30 days to develop clear and impactful policy writing
For policy professionals with 5+ years of experience and strong interest or background in research or policy writing, this challenge is ideal for you!
OR
Past SAIP-C participants who have completed the challenge
Over a month, you’ll take on individual challenges that help you:
  1. Write 4 policy articles across the month
  2. Structure arguments with clarity & persuasion
  3. Enhance your writing voice & policy perspective
  4. Refine drafts with expert feedback

Why should you join this challenge

This isn’t a policy course. This isn’t a policy task. It’s a challenge
Sharpen how you see public problems

Go beyond symptoms to understand systems, constraints, and real trade-offs

Build critical skills for policy & governance

Practice breaking down issues, framing thoughtful solutions, and thinking through what makes ideas work

Push yourself through a peer-supported challenge

Stay motivated by tackling daily tasks alongside hundreds of others, learning from diverse approaches and perspectives

Grow your voice & build a community

Share your ideas publicly, start conversations, and connect with people equally driven to solve tough problems

Join a mission-driven network for India’s future

Be part of a larger ecosystem of young Indians working to make systems fairer and more effective, whatever your career path

Participants reported a major shift in how they think about policy in India

Participants would recommend the challenge

Which challenge is right for you?

Start Thinking in Policy Challenge (STIPC)
Start Acting in Policy Challenge (SAIP-C)
Start Writing in Policy Challenge (SWIP-C)
Who it’s for
Students, early professionals, or anyone exploring policy
Policy professionals with 1+ yr experience OR STIP-C Alumni
Policy professionals with 5+ experience OR SAIP-C Alumni
Focus
Framing & understanding problems
Drafting, stakeholder strategy, political risk, implementation
Crafting policy articles, structuring arguments, writing for influence
Duration
7 days
14 days
30 days
Timeline
Next Cohort: February 2026
November 24- December 7
November 10- December 10
Effort
~1 hour daily with 1-day submission window
~1.5 hours over 2 days with a 2-day submission window
~1 hour daily with a weekly submission window
Public engagement
Post each task publicly
Post each task publicly
Submit one article weekly
Fee
Free
Free
Free

The future needs people who understand systems

As India grows, our challenges are getting more complex. We need people who can look beyond the obvious, connect the dots, and solve problems at scale.
Whether you work in business, non-profits, startups, or directly in government,  knowing how policy decisions are made and implemented is becoming one of the most valuable skillsets for the future.
And for those who care deeply about public problem-solving, it’s the best way to contribute to India’s next leap.

Start Thinking in Policy Challenge (STIP-C)

NEXT COHORT:
FEBRUARY 2026

Start Acting in Policy Challenge (SAIP-C)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 7th NOVEMBER

Start Writing in Policy Challenge (SWIP-C)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 21st NOVEMBER

What our past participants have to say about the program

Lavina Garoliya, Consultant, KPMG
“The questions were so thoughtfully designed — they pushed me to see public problems from entirely new angles.”
Chirag, Consultant, Varahe Analytics
“I joined to deepen my understanding of governance, but these prompts made me analyze issues far beyond what I expected.”

Girish Gulumkar, Student, ISDM

“Sharing my work on social media and engaging with so many peers was truly energizing. It felt like we were building a real community.”

🇮🇳 Be Part of Something Bigger

At The India House, we’re on a mission to nurture thousands of young changemakers who will tackle India’s hardest problems,  building courage, commitment, and capability in policy and governance.
Our Policy Challenges are your first step into this world.

You’ll come away with
Practical skills and sharper analytical tools
A public record of your ideas on complex issues
A vibrant network of peers & mentors who care about driving change

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much time will this take?

  1. STIP-C needs ~50 mins daily over 7 days.
  2. SAP-C is ~90 mins every 2 days over 15 days.
    You’ll have a full day window for each submission, so it’s fully flexible around work or college.

Will I get a certificate?

 Yes,  you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from The India House after successfully submitting all tasks.

What kind of work will I do?

 You’ll tackle individual challenges that reflect real-world policy practice.
Expect to break down complex problems, design short solutions, draft briefs, map stakeholders or outline simple plans. We keep the exact tasks a surprise to build real-time thinking.

Is this interactive or just self-study?

Highly interactive.
  1. You’ll post your tasks publicly on LinkedIn/Twitter,  building conversations around your ideas.
  2. Engage with peers, the India House team, and our broader network.
  3. See anonymized top responses so you learn how others think.

Will this help my CV?

Absolutely.
Many past participants have highlighted their challenge outputs in job interviews and fellowship applications,  as proof of how they think through complex issues.

What’s the fee?

Nothing,  it’s completely free, because we want more people to step into public problem-solving.

Still unsure?

Just drop us a message at namaste@theindiahouse.org or WhatsApp us at [+91-900-297-1010]

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER