YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 3.0 | Theme: Women Leading Change Across Sectors and Scales
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 3.0 | Theme: Women Leading Change Across Sectors and Scales | An Online National Monsoon & Autumn School Program | A Three-Month Online Immersive Introductory Leadership Certificate Training Fellowship Program | July-September 2025 | IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning
#IMPRI Gender Impact Studies Center (GISC), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, invites you to #WebPolicyLearning
An Online National Monsoon & Autumn School Program
A Three Month Online Immersive Introductory Leadership Certificate Training Fellowship Program
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 3.0
Theme: Women Leading Change Across Sectors and Scales
Learn from the Leading Women Experts in the Field!
Details of the #WebPolicyLearning
Dates: July (5, 12, 19, 26) Aug (2, 16, 23, 30) Sept (6, 20, 27), 2025
Classes on consecutive Saturday evenings
Time: 4 – 6 p.m. IST
Platform: Zoom & Creative Project Research Essay Submission
Registration Form: https://forms.gle/cUpoAQ4KUv5h3uy49
Course Fee: Professionals: INR 15000 | Students: INR 13000 (inclusive of GST)
Early Bird Discounted Fee (till June 15): Professionals: INR 12,500 | Students: INR 10,500
Special 20 percent discount for IMPRI Alumni. Bulk Discounts can be availed for groups of more than 5 participants. IMPRI Alumni can avail benefits through the IMPRI Referral Policy for Alumni & Friends.
Payment Link: https://pages.razorpay.com/impricoursefee
Alternatively, you can use any payment method from here:
https://www.impriindia.com/payment-details/
Fellowship Batch Size: 40
Merit-cum-scholarship seats: 10
Selected candidates will be granted the opportunity to join this fellowship at a nominal token fee of INR 2500.
Partial scholarship seats: 10
Selected candidates will receive a discount of up to 50% on the course fee.
To apply for these scholarships, please complete the registration form provided below. Selected candidates will be notified via email.
Registration form link (scholarship): https://forms.gle/w5mM7uzgraRz5QSv5
Last date to apply: June 20, 2025. Selected candidates will be notified via email. For queries, write to: learningatimpri@gmail.com
About
The IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute is excited to announce the third cohort of the Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship, set to take place from July to November 2025. This fellowship is designed to empower young women aspiring to make an impact in public policy by providing a platform to engage in thoughtful discussions, share insights, and connect with experts and peers.
While progress has been made in women’s leadership, gender inequality remains a challenge. Globally, women hold just over a quarter of parliamentary seats and less than a quarter of ministerial positions. In India, while a mandate reserves one-third of local governance seats for women, societal biases and cultural norms continue to limit women’s influence in decision-making processes. Supporting women’s leadership is not only a matter of equity but also key to fostering inclusive and effective governance.
The fellowship offers participants the chance to conduct research on public policy issues of their choice, with opportunities to publish their findings in an IMPRI-edited volume with an ISBN. Through a blend of theoretical learning, practical engagement, and networking, the fellowship aims to equip young women with the skills needed to lead and advocate for a more equitable future.
Previous Cohorts:
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship
Cohort 2 – January –April 2025 | Theme: Getting Foothold in Politics, Governance and Gainful Employment: A Gender Lens
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows Creative Project PPT Video | Fellows Blogs | Event Outcome Report | Fellows List
Cohort 1 – January – March 2024
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows Creative Project PPT Video | Fellows Blogs | Event Outcome Report | Fellows List
For Whom
This program is designed to empower a wide spectrum of individuals, equipping them with specialized knowledge and skills crucial for driving progress in gender-sensitive policies and leadership. Our audience includes aspiring Elected Women Representatives, dedicated Researchers, Students and Educators in Social Science Departments and Women’s Studies Centers, Engaged NGOs, CBOs, CSOs, Media Professionals, and Working professionals. Join us in shaping a more inclusive future.
Benefits
- Gain in-depth insights into public policy, fostering a better understanding of complex issues.
- Develop practical skills in policy analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication.
- Connect with experts and peers in the field for valuable networking opportunities.
- Saturday sessions accommodate existing commitments, enabling skill and knowledge growth without disruption.
- Mandatory essays and presentations provide a comprehensive learning experience, merging theory and practice.
- Empower young women to be effective leaders for a more inclusive society.
- Develop specialized expertise in public policy, boosting career prospects.
- Equip graduates to drive positive change in policy decisions for inclusivity and equity.
- Receive a completion certificate for your dedicated efforts.
- Showcase your essay on the IMPRI Insights Blog, alongside global thought leaders.
Program Highlights
Embark on a transformative learning journey with our program, where knowledge meets innovation. Our program highlights encompass two key pillars that aim to empower and inspire:
- Expert-Led Interactive Sessions: Immerse yourself in a world of knowledge with our engaging online sessions led by subject matter experts. These sessions are designed to deepen your understanding of various topics, providing you with valuable insights and perspectives.
- Research Empowerment: Unlock your potential as a researcher with dedicated sessions focused on the art of crafting research articles, refining topic selection, and mastering the art of effective presentations. These sessions will equip you with the skills and tools needed to excel in the world of academia and beyond.
Join us on this educational journey, where you’ll not only gain knowledge but also the skills to make a meaningful impact.
Program Experts

Chair: Prof Vibhuti Patel, Visiting Distinguished Professor, IMPRI
Session Experts:
Ms Preeti Oza, Project Manager at CLRA, Centre for Labour Research and Action (CLRA)
Dr Sujata Khandekar, Founding Director of Community of Resource Organisations (CORO)
Dr Nagmani Rao, Former Associate Professor, Karve Institute of Social Service, Pune
Dr Aditi Kapoor, Gender Consultant, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sustainability Consultant; Co-founder & Trustee, Alternative Futures
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO and Editorial Director, IMPRI, New Delhi
Prof Poornima Chikermane, Social Activist
Prof Samapti Guha, Professor, Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) , Mumbai
Prof Tara Nair, Director (Research and Knowledge) at the Centre for Migration and Labour Solutions, Aajeevika Bureau
Dr Purnima Chauhan, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh & Director, Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA); Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Prof Sasmita Palo, Professor, Centre for Human Resources Management and Labour Relations, School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
Dr Anagha Tendulkar, Principal, Sophia College and Head, Department of Sociology
Dr Geeta Balakrishnan, Former Principal, College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai
Ms Pradnya Sabnis, Founder, SABNIS ESTATE CONSULTANTS
Ms Surya Balakrishnan, Founder & Director, Footloose Films
Ms Mariam Dhawale, General Secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA)
Program Time Structure
| YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship – Cohort 3.0 | ||
| Theme: Women Leading Change Across Sectors and Scales | ||
| An Online National Monsoon & Autumn School Program | ||
| A Three-Month Online Immersive Introductory Leadership Certificate Training Fellowship Program | ||
| July (5, 12, 19, 26), Aug (2, 16, 23, 30) & Sept (6, 20, 27), 2025 | ||
| Classes on Eight Consecutive Saturdays & Creative Project Research Essay Submission | ||
| 4 – 6 p.m. | Zoom | ||
| IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning | ||
| Time | Topic | Expert/s |
| Day 1 | July 5, 2025 (Saturday) | Women, Movements & Social Justice | ||
| 4 – 4:15 pm | Introduction & Chair Opening Remarks | Prof Vibhuti Patel |
| 4:15 – 5 pm | Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Trade Union and Social Justice Movements | Ms Preeti Oza |
| 5 – 5:45 pm | Women-Led Development: Building Equitable Communities Through Collective Action | Dr Sujata Khandekar |
| 5:45 – 6 pm | Participants Introduction | Fellows |
| Day 2 | July 12, 2025 (Saturday) | Grassroots and Community Leadership | ||
| 4 – 4:50 pm | Empowering Change in Rural Development Through Women’s Collective Agency | Dr Nagmani Rao |
| 4:50 – 5:40 pm | Women at the Forefront of Community-Based Climate Resilience | Dr Aditi Kapoor |
| 5:40 – 6 pm | Creative Project Topic Selection and Discussion | Team |
| July 16, 2025 (Wednesday) | Proposal submission for research essay outlining the topic and mode of presentation | ||
| Day 3 | July 19, 2025 (Saturday) | Women Shaping Urban and Environmental Futures | ||
| 4 – 4:50 pm | Innovating Sustainability: Women Leaders in Recycling and Waste Sectors | Prof Poornima Chikermane |
| 4:50 – 5:40 pm | Steering Inclusive Urban Governance: Women’s Roles in City Development | Dr Purnima Chauhan |
| 5:40 – 6 pm | Essays & Research Article Writing | Dr Simi Mehta |
| Day 4 | July 26, 2025 (Saturday) | Women in Public Institutions and Electoral Representation | ||
| 4 – 4:50 pm | Public Sector Leadership: Navigating Change in State Enterprises | Prof Sasmita Palo |
| 4:50 – 5:40 pm | Women in Higher Education: Institutional Reforms and Feminist Pedagogies | Dr Anagha Tendulkar |
| 5:40 – 6 pm | Creative Project Selection and Discussion | Team |
| Day 5 | August 2, 2025 (Saturday) | Women as Crisis Responders and Advocates for Labor Rights | ||
| 4 – 5 pm | Leadership in Disaster Management: Building Resilience from the Margins | Dr Geeta Balakrishnan |
| 5 – 6 pm | Women Powering Industrial Change: Challenges and Progress in Manufacturing | Ms Pradnya Sabnis |
| Blog Article Submission | August 10, 2025 (Sunday) | ||
| Day 6 | August 16, 2025 (Saturday) | From Local Enterprise to Global Impact | ||
| 4 – 4:50 pm | Women Entrepreneurs Transforming Local Economies | Prof Tara Nair |
| 4:50 – 5:40 pm | Advancing Women’s Leadership Through Inclusive Economic Participation | Prof Vibhuti Patel |
| 5:40 – 6 pm | Fellows Interaction & Discussion session | Team |
| Day 7 | August 23, 2025 (Saturday) | Representation and Responsibility: Women in Boardrooms and Cultural Spaces | ||
| 4 – 5 pm | Women Emancipation and Women Entrepreneurship | Prof Samapti Guha |
| 5 – 6 pm | Women Behind the Lens: Redefining Narratives in Indian Cinema | Ms Surya Balakrishnan |
| August 28, 2025 (Thursday) | Extended Abstract Submission | ||
| Day 8 | August 30, 2025 (Saturday) | Fellows Presentation & Closing Session | ||
| 4 – 4:50 pm | Charting New Frontiers: Women’s Role in Electoral Politics and Democratic Participation | Ms Mariam Dhawale |
| 4:50 – 5:40 pm | Fellows’ Creative Project Presentations & Discussion | Fellows |
| 5:40 – 6 pm | Feedback Session & Chair’s Closing Remarks | Prof Vibhuti Patel |
| September 6, 2025 (Saturday) | Research Essay Draft Submission | ||
| September 20, 2025 (Saturday) | Research Essay Expert & Editorial Review | ||
| September 27, 2025 (Saturday) | Final Research Essay Submission | ||
Convenors
Dr Arjun Kumar, Director, IMPRI
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO & Editorial Director, IMPRI
Coordinator: Dr Vaishali Singh, Ms Priyanka Negi, Ms Swetha Shanker, Ms Reetwika Mallick, Ms Aasthaba Jadeja & Ms Riya Rawat, IMPRI
Previous similar programs:
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 2.0 | January-April 2025
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship | January-March 2024
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