Public Administration Syllabus 2025: Semester Subjects, Electives, Books, Specializations
Public Administration is an educational degree that deals with the machinery and procedures of government activities. It is also concerned with the implementation of government policies. It is often consisdered as a system to determine and identify the different programs and policies of the government. It is the branch associated with planning, organising, directing, coordinating, and controlling government operations. Several universities offer graduation and postgraduation level Public Administration courses. The students of such degrees get the jobs of teacher, corporate manager, consultant, management analyst, social worker, custom inspector, and many more.
- Syllabus – Important Facts for Public Administration
- List of Subjects in Public Administration
- 2.1 Typical Core Subjects for Public Administration
- 2.2 Typical Elective Subjects for Public Administration
- Detailed Syllabus for Public Administration
- Specialisations offered in Public Administration
- Books and Authors Related to Public Administration
- Entrance Exams for Public Administration
- Syllabus for Distance Program in Public Administration
- Top Colleges for Public Administration
- FAQs on Public Administration
Syllabus – Important Facts for Public Administration
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BA in Public Administration is a six-semester course: As BA (Hons.) Public Administration focuses more on procedures of government activities, government policies, and government programs.
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It provides knowledge of various governmental laws, activities, etc.
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BSC in Public Administration is an eight-semester course: The Public Administration degree equips students with the knowledge the government expects of India. It consists of subjects like the scope of Public Administration, theories of administration, financial administration, and many more.
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Scope of Public Administration in India: After getting a degree of Public Administration courses, opting to become a civil servant is the most suitable choice. The students can easily join services like IAS, IPS, IRS, etc by qualifying for the civil services exam.
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The syllabus remains almost similar throughout India. The course remains almost similar throughout the country with some variations.
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Students are graded for summative and formatives: Students will be graded based on the assignments every semester. Additionally, the end-semester exams will include 70% marks for the summative tests and 30 % for the formatives.
List of Subjects in Public Administration
Typical Core Subjects for Public Administration
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|
Scope of new Public Administration |
The students will learn about the government's non-political bureaucratic machinery for implementing its laws and order. Under this subject, students also learn about the laws of postal and railway services, maintaining an army, running schools and hospitals. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Theories of administration |
Under this subject, students will learn about the various prevailing theories on which government works, such as bureaucratic theory, scientific management theory, behavioural management theory, human relations theory, etc. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Financial administration |
Financial administration is the subject of a dynamic process with various divisions like preparation of the budget, accountability, auditing, purchase, and supply. Students will learn about the principles of financial management, which are necessary for the examination purpose. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Public policy |
Under this subject, students will learn about Public Administration’s public policy, which is defined by the system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities by the governmental entity. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Development administration |
The developmental administration subject is a subject that lights upon the programs of social and economic progress. The main aim of this subject is to change, innovate, and movement of purposes with maintaining the status quo. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Typical Elective Subjects for Public Administration
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|
Local self-government |
The local self-government in India refers to the government jurisdictions below the level of the state. It aims to protect the local governments and governmental legislations. The amendments in its policies are held once a year. Some other parts of the syllabus are:
|
Administrative behaviour |
This subject is concerned with studying the mode of action that makes human and material resources available that help make institutions more effective. The theory of administrative behaviour is a generic term used to describe how people within organisations work. |
Comparative study of Public Administration |
Students will learn about the administrative systems of different countries. The basic features of this subject are focus on the environment of the administrative system, formal and informal structures of the administrative systems, roles of individuals, the performance of administrative systems, etc. |
Detailed Syllabus for Public Administration
The syllabus of BA(Hons) in Public Administration may vary from one university to the other, but the subjects are more or less the same. Here is a general overview of the core or elective subjects taught from the first to sixth semesters in BA(Hons.).
Semester |
Core/Elective |
Subject title |
Subject Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Introduction to Public Administration |
Introduction to Public Administration |
This subject teaches students about the evolution and growth in the discipline of Public Administration. Under this subject, students will learn the basic principles and approaches of Public Administration and basic dynamics relating to Public Administration. |
1 |
Administrative theory |
Administrative theory |
Students acquire the knowledge of elements, theories, and principles of Public Administration in this subject. This subject gave information about the developments taking place in the Public Administration. It also explains the role of bureaucracy and administration. |
2 |
Indian administration |
Indian administration |
Indian administration subject gives the knowledge about the evolution and growth of the Indian administration. It grasps the role of the union executive. The students will understand the inbuilt control mechanisms over constitutional bodies and the dynamics of union state relationships through this subject. |
2 |
Public policy and governance |
Public policy and governance |
The students will understand the basic concepts of public policy, policy analysis, public policy process, and governance. The students also get the knowledge of different stages of public policy in terms of theoretical formulation. |
3 |
Rural local governance |
Rural local governance |
This subject explains the evolution and growth of rural local governance in India. The students also gain knowledge about the role, composition, functions, resources of Panchayati raj institutions. |
3 |
Regulatory governance |
Regulatory governance |
This subject explains the process of regulation and regulatory governance in Public Administration. It also explains the key concepts and knowledge of theoretical perspectives relating to the regulation, regulatory governance, and independent regulatory commissions. |
4 |
Urban local governance |
Urban local governance |
It is concerned with the knowledge of the evolution and growth of urban local bodies in India. The students also understand urban local bodies’ composition, role, resources, and functions and understand urban development programs’ structure and working. |
4 |
Public financial administration |
Public financial administration |
This subject explains the various aspects of public financial administration in general and helps students understand public budgeting and public financial resources strategies. |
5 |
Administrative law |
Administrative law |
Administrative law is concerned with the principles of natural justice, rules of law, administrative legislation, and many more. |
6 |
Disaster management |
Disaster management |
It is focussed on the conceptual understanding of disasters, their types, and management. It gives information about strategies, leadership, and management skills required for disaster management. |
Specialisations offered in Public Administration
The Public Administration courses are concerned with the study of public governance processes and the role of institutions. The graduates can get a job as a trained teacher of Public Administration, corporate manager, consultant, management analyst, social worker, or custom inspector at various public and private institutions. The application of this study spreads far and wide to industries like local and state governments of health care, communications, social services, community development, etc.
Specialisation |
Subjects |
Details |
---|---|---|
Public Administration in law |
|
The students can choose this specialisation if they want to pursue their career in law. It explains the legal framework within which Public Administration is carried out. The administrative law is constitutional, political, and juridical in importance. |
Public Administration in economics |
|
The Public Administration in economics deals with the production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of economic policies. It deals with the management of human affairs in society. |
Public Administration in sociology |
|
The students who want to pursue their career in political life will choose this specialisation. This specialisation is concerned with organised political life and deals with society administrative aspects. |
Public Administration in philosophy |
|
It deals with the common concerns in administration. Under this subject, it uses the word philosophy when trying to express their views which helps in increasing the influence of administration and administrators on social life. |
Public Administration in international affairs |
|
This specialisation is concerned with the emergence and development of administration patterns and their effects on international policymaking. It is a research program that studies the administration bodies of international organisations. |
Books and Authors Related to Public Administration
As BA (Hons.) Public Administration is a field in which leaders serve communities to advance the common good and effect positive change. Students follow a wide range of books during their graduation in the whole course. Listed below are some books that are highly referred to.
Subject |
Book title |
Author |
Description |
---|---|---|---|
Administrative theory |
Administrative theory |
Pardeep Sahni |
Administrative theory is based on the concept of departmentalization. |
Indian administration |
Indian administration |
S.R. Maheshwari’s |
The administrative arm of all India Services of the government of India. |
Public policy and governance |
Implementing public policy: governance in theory and practice |
Michael hill |
Public policy and governance consist of a set of actions, plans, laws, and behaviours adopted by the government. |
Rural local governance |
Rural local governance and development |
Mahi pal |
It is concerned with the democratically elected local self-governance bodies in the village of rural India. |
Regulatory governance |
Regulatory governance and risk management |
Binglin yang |
It is the combination of better regulation over the area of regulation by the government of India. |
Entrance Exams for Public Administration
There are some specialisations offered by Public Administration courses that require the candidates to clear the entrance exams to get admission in the further degrees. Listed below are the state-level and central-level exams conducted every year. The minimum eligibility for candidates who want to appear in the entrance exams is required to clear 10+2 with a minimum percentage of 45% as aggregate.
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BHU PET
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IPU CET
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JMI
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AMU
The students need to clear the entrance exams which are listed above to get admission to various graduate and post-graduate level courses. The difficulty level of such examinations is varied from exam to exam. Almost all the examinations are conducted in the format of multiple-choice questions. Most of such courses are conducted online on the official website of universities and colleges.
Syllabus for Distance Program in Public Administration
Public Administration courses are also offered as a distance program in India. Many students who cannot afford full-time education may opt for distance education programs. The syllabus of distance education is similar to the regular programs. The evaluation format of internal and external assessment is more and likely the same.
Many colleges offer courses in the distance education format, such as the University of Mysore, Lovely Professional University, Kalinga University, Indira Gandhi Open University, and many more.
Top Colleges for Public Administration
Listed below are the top colleges for the graduate and postgraduate colleges in India.
College/University/Institution |
Links |
---|---|
Nizam college Hyderabad |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
University of Lucknow |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Indian Institute of Public Administration |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Jamia Millia Islamia |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Nagpur University |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
University of Mysore |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
DAV College, Chandigarh |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Indira Gandhi National Open University |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
Panjab University, Chandigarh |
To be Uploaded Soon. |
FAQs on Public Administration
Q. What are Public Administration's meaning and definition?
Q. What is the job of people working in the Public Administration sector?
A. People in Public Administration jobs analyse information, oversee expenditures, draft and implement governmental and public policy, manage people and resources, conduct safety inspections, investigate suspected criminal activity, serve as consultants.
Q. What are the subjects in Public Administration?
A. Public Administration consists of many disciplines, which includes public policy, organisational development, ethical behaviour and theory, finances, human resources, political science, civil and criminal law, and philosophy.
Q. What is the specialisation of Public Administration?
A. The focus in the specialisation in Public Administration is the study of public governance processes and the role of institutions. It also is focused on Europeans and their policies.
Q. What are the courses offered in Public Administration?
A. Public Administration offers various courses such as human resources, organisational behaviour, law, politics, ethics, philosophy and finances.
Q. What faculty is Public Administration under?
A. Public Administration is under the Faculty of Social & Management Sciences.
Q. What is new in the Public Administration?
A. New Public Administration is an anti-technical, anti-positivist, and anti-hierarchical reaction as compared to traditional Public Administration. It is more focused on the government roles and how the services can be offered to the citizens. It is not limited to only public policies.
Q. What are the four philosophies of Public Administration?
A. The Philosophies of Public Administration fall broadly into four classes:
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Intuitionism
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Perfectionism
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Utilitarianism
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Theory of Justice
Q. Why is philosophy important in Public Administration?
A. It is essential because of the rising influence of administration and its policies on the social life of the people.
Q. What is Public Administration law?
A. Public Administration Law includes the body of laws, its legal institutions and procedure in general. It further also determines the social and political values of the system including fairness, democracy and efficiency.
Q. What are the different scopes of Public Administration?
A. The scope of Public Administration includes:
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Decision-making
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Planning the work to be done
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Formulating objectives and goals
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Working with the legislative and citizen organisations to gain public support and funds for government programs
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Establishing and revising organisations
Q. What are the main features of the new Public Administration?
A. The features of New Public Administration are as follows:
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Citizen's empowerment
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Decentralisation
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Restructuring of Government organisation or sector
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Goal-Orientation
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Cost Cutting and facilitating income growth
Q. Is there any entrance exam for BA in Public Administration?
A. Some of the top entrance exams for the B.A. in Public Policy and Public Administration course are given below:
BHU UET: It is a national-level exam for the students who are interested in Public Policy and Public Administration. It is conducted by Banaras Hindu University.
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