Public Policy, Purpose and the Law: An Interview on Building a Career Beyond the Traditional Path

As someone on the cusp of starting their career, what do you think is your main source of motivation?

The law always presents new opportunities. Public policy analysis, which is an applied field of law, is what interests me most. It comes with its own set of challenges, and tackling them requires creative planning. That creative freedom to design new ideas and bring about tangible change motivates me. I am also driven by the fact that the policies I contribute to will serve people directly.

Do you think we indulge in enough discussions on public policy in law schools?

No, I do not think we do. Awareness of public policy analysis is very limited in law schools. In environments where nurturing a corporate mindset takes priority, discussions on public policy, let alone careers in public policy, are rare. This needs to change. Lawyers have the skills to contribute meaningfully to policy analysis and drive change.

What got you interested in public policy?

From my first year, I knew I did not want to specialise immediately. Although I plan to specialise later, I currently want a panoramic understanding of the law and its socio‑economic context. In my third year, I became fascinated with public policy because it involves analysing different aspects of the law while also using a wide range of skills, such as engaging with diverse groups to understand and solve grassroots problems.

I am not keen on a desk job that limits me to an office. I want to meet people, travel and do meaningful work. Public policy allows me to do that, which is why I am keen on pursuing it.

How can law school help someone interested in public policy?

Law is vast. In a five‑year integrated BA LLB degree, you study close to 60 courses ranging from human rights to environmental law to political science and economics. You deal with regulation, fintech and tribal law as you would with Constitutional Law. Studying these subjects exposes you to emerging problems in each field. This gives you a well‑rounded understanding of many seemingly unrelated areas, which is extremely helpful if you choose a career in public policy.

What are your thoughts on the global and Indian public policy landscape?

Public policymaking varies significantly across countries. In India, public policy analysis was not considered a real career twenty or thirty years ago. Policy was seen as a tool used by political leaders to increase influence, rather than a field of genuine study.

Today, public policy analysis in India is still developing compared to countries where it has existed as a full profession for years. A major issue is the lack of regular assessment. Policies are often not periodically evaluated for impact or effectiveness, which hampers implementation.

However, there is good news. Policy analysis in India is developing rapidly. Major strides have been made in both drafting and implementation in recent years.