Public Administration Syllabus 2026: Check Semester-wise Subjects & Syllabus

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:

• Introduction and scope of Public Administration

• Narrow perspective or postcard perspective

• Broad perspective or subject

• Prevailing view

• Applied administration

• Role and importance of Public Administration

• Conclusion

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:

• Meaning of administrative theory

• Types of administrative theory

• Universal design theories

• Classical theory

• Human relation theory

• Situational design theories

• Behavioural approach

• Motivational theories

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:

• Introduction to Public Administration

• Evolution of financial administration

• Budget, principles, functions, and classification

• Development of a budget system

• Budgetary process in India

• Control over public finance

• The comptroller and auditor general of India

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:

• Concept of public and policy

• Nature of public policy

• Policymaking process

• Significance of public policy

• Models of public policies

• Executive, legislative, and judiciary

• Political parties

• Role of NGOs

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:

• Concept of development administration

• Importance of development administration

• Administrative development in a political, economic, and social context

• Public participation in development

• Policymaking process

• Role of administrative bodies in the development

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:

• Concept of local self-government

• Evolution of local government in India

• Local and urban self-government

• Employment and poverty alleviation program

• Role of district collector

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.

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.

Public Administration in law

• Public Administration

• Forms of organisations

• Theories of organisations

• Budget: principles, preparation, and enactment of the budget

• British legacies over Indian administration

• Ministry of home affairs

• Constitution framework of states in India

• District administration

• Local government

• Social welfare administration of India

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

• Public resource management

• Public financial and procurement management

• Public human resource management

• Public information services

• Public accountability

• Fundamentals of research

• Governmental relations

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

• Nature of state

• Changing nature of Indian state

• The contemporary context of Indian bureaucracy

• Civil society and administration

• Interference between citizens and administration

• Justice, equity, and participation

• Impact of globalisation on administration

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

• Introduction and rationale

• Key streams in philosophical inquiry

• Ontological perspective and Public Administration doctrines and themes

• Political philosophy and public governance

• Philosophy of knowledge perspectives

• Elements for the philosophical foundations of a theory of Public Administration

• Researching and teaching philosophy for Public Administration

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

• International relations, the rule of law, and diplomacy

• International development

• Federal, state, and local finance

• Urban economic development

• Social entrepreneurship and innovation

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.

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.