The NLSAT Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is a two-year, residential, interdisciplinary flagship postgraduate course offered by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. It focuses on the crucial interface between public policy and law, training future policy professionals to design, implement, and evaluate effective public policies for complex societal challenges.

NLSIU emphasises on a dialectical pedagogy that encourages students to question the complexities in the practice of public policy arising from real-life situations of people from a diverse set of social and economic backgrounds. The programme has adopted an innovative pedagogy which combines reflective learning through classroom discussions, in-field exposures, solving problems for real-world clients, internship and research dissertation.

NLSAT (National Law School Admission Test) is the entrance examination conducted by NLSIU Bengaluru for admission to its various postgraduate programs, including the 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) and the 2-Year Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. There's a specific NLSAT-MPP exam for the Public Policy program.

To be eligible for the NLSAT MPP program, candidates must generally meet the following criteria:

Educational Qualification: Hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized National or International University.
Minimum Marks: For General/OBC/EWS categories, a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in the undergraduate degree is required. For SC/ST/PwD categories, the requirement is 40% aggregate marks.
Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to apply for the NLSAT MPP program.
Final Year Students: Students in their final year of a Bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply, with their admission being contingent upon successful completion of their degree with the minimum required marks.

Trend shows a good influx of UPSC aspirants opting for MPP course from NLSIU as a sustainable and alinging backup for its rigorous pedegogic cirriculam and job prospect. 

Part A (Objective/MCQs): This section assesses:
English Comprehension: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary.
Current Affairs: National and international events, legal developments, public policy, social issues.
Critical Reasoning: Logical deduction, argument evaluation, analytical reasoning.

Part B (Subjective): This section evaluates:
Legal Aptitude and Reasoning: Understanding of legal propositions, legal maxims, and fundamental legal principles.
Analytical Ability/Essay Writing: An essay on a current social, legal, or ethical issue, testing clarity of argument, structure, critical thinking, and language proficiency.

The NLSAT-MPP exam is conducted offline (pen-and-paper based) and has the following pattern:

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)
Total Marks: 150 marks

Part A (Objective):
75 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
75 marks total (1 mark per question)
Negative marking: -0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.

Part B (Subjective):
Legal Problem-Solving Questions (e.g., 5 questions, 12 marks each)
Analytical Essay Question (e.g., 1 essay, 15 marks)
No negative marking.

One needs to be smart enough to cross the part A cutoff and score well in part B all while racing against the time.

While exact dates can vary year to year, NLSAT MPP applications typically open in December, the application deadline is usually around March end, and the exam is conducted in April. Results are generally declared in May/June, followed by admission procedures. Always refer to the official NLSIU admissions website for the most up-to-date schedule.

Official NLSAT MPP website page - https://www.nls.ac.in/programme/master-of-public-policy/ 

An MPP degree from NLSIU opens doors to diverse and impactful career paths in both the public and private sectors. Graduates often find roles in:

Government & Public Sector: Policy analysis, research, and advisory roles in government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings.
Think Tanks & Research Organizations: Conducting research, contributing to policy briefs, and advocacy on various socio-economic and legal issues.
Consulting Firms: Working as policy consultants for government, international organizations, and private companies (e.g., KPMG, PwC, EY).
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) & Civil Society: Advocating for social change, program management, and policy implementation at grassroots and national levels.
International Organizations: Roles in UN bodies, World Bank, IMF, etc.
Corporate Sector: Public affairs, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and regulatory affairs departments.
Academia: Pursuing further research (Ph.D.) or teaching positions.

NLSIU's strong network and reputation often lead to promising placement opportunities.

Fun Fact - Few of MPP graduates also return to give a shot at UPSC and other govt. exams since now they are academically better situated.

The fee structure for the NLSAT MPP program is subject to change each academic year. As of recent information, the annual fees for the Master's in Public Policy program are approximately ₹2,96,000 (per year) for all categories. This usually includes tuition and facilities fees. Additional charges may apply for off-campus housing (₹1,75,000)and refundable deposits (₹22,000).