Jamshedpur, September 24, 2026: XLRI – Xavier School of Management marked an important milestone in its Public Policy and Sustainable Leadership (PPSL) programme with the first graduation of its inaugural cohort and the induction of Batch 2. Designed for mid to senior-level professionals working across government, public, private and development sectors, PPSL brings diverse professional perspectives into a common learning environment to deepen understanding of public policy, governance and sustainable leadership. The one-year hybrid programme comprises 180 hours of learning spread across 11 months, including 150 hours of online learning and 30 hours of on-campus engagement at XLRI Jamshedpur. The programme is recognised and supported by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, as a Long-Term Domestic Programme (LTDP) for eligible Group A government officers. The graduating cohort comprised 12 professionals, representing the diversity that is central to the PPSL learning experience. The cohort included six government-sponsored participants, comprising four IAS officers, one IPS officer and one Indian Forest Service officer. The six self-sponsored participants included a faculty member from an administrative training institute, a state civil service officer from the Excise Department, and professionals from the development sector with experience across organisations including CEEW, UN Women, PCI India and PSI India. The cohort brought substantial professional experience to the classroom with participants having between six and 34 years of work experience, and a median experience of 15 years. The diversity of backgrounds enabled participants to examine policy challenges through perspectives spanning government, administration, development, academia and implementation.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Director, Council for Social Development and former Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, joined as the Chief Guest for the inauguration and graduation ceremonies. A former IAS officer of the 1990 batch, Karnataka cadre, Shri Tiwari brings more than three decades of experience in public administration, policy formulation, institutional development and governance. He retired as Secretary, MSDE, in June 2025 and currently serves as Director of the Council for Social Development. Shri Amber Dubey, CEO (Aero), Adani Airport Holdings Limited, joined as the Guest of Honour with more than three decades of experience spanning aviation, public policy, management consulting and infrastructure, Mr. Dubey has previously served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and held leadership roles with organisations including McKinsey & Company and KPMG. He currently leads the aero business at Adani Airport Holdings Limited. Both leaders also engaged with the PPSL community through sessions with the graduating and incoming cohorts, bringing perspectives from public administration, policy, industry and institutional leadership into the classroom.

Batch 2: Continuing the Cross-Sector Learning Journey

The induction of PPSL Batch 2 marks the continuation of XLRI’s effort to create a learning ecosystem where professionals from different sectors can engage with public policy beyond disciplinary and organisational boundaries. The new cohort will undertake a multidisciplinary curriculum covering public policy, public finance and management, policy instruments, data analysis for public policy, public policy,  business strategy and sustainable leadership. The programme combines XLRI faculty with experienced practitioners and national and global experts, alongside case-based and experiential learning. Batch 2 comprises of participants from IAS, IRS, IES, State Civil Services, and Private sector backgrounds.

The programme’s hybrid structure combines live online learning with intensive campus residencies at XLRI Jamshedpur, enabling working professionals to pursue advanced learning while remaining engaged with their professional placement location responsibilities. Participants also undertake a capstone project in their area of interest with opportunities to develop their work into policy briefs, case studies or research outputs. 

Through PPSL, XLRI seeks to strengthen the connection between policy thinking, managerial capability and responsible leadership, bringing together perspectives that can contribute to more informed, inclusive and sustainable approaches to complex public challenges.