Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

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.

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:

  • 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

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:

  • 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.

Detailed Syllabus for Public Administration

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

  • 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.

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.

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. 

FAQs on Public Administration

Q. What are Public Administration's meaning and definition?

A. Public Administration is the implementation of government policies. It is often considered as a system to determine and identify the different programs and policies of the government. Specifically, it is the planning, organising, directing, coordinating, and controlling of government operations.

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:

  • Intuitionism

  • Perfectionism

  • Utilitarianism

  • 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:

  • Decision-making

  • Planning the work to be done

  • Formulating objectives and goals

  • Working with the legislative and citizen organisations to gain public support and funds for government programs

  • 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:

  • Citizen's empowerment

  • Decentralisation

  • Restructuring of Government organisation or sector

  • Goal-Orientation

  • 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.

Table of content
  • Popular Public Administration Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Public Administration Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Public Administration UG Courses
  • Popular Public Administration PG Courses

Popular Public Administration Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Public Administration Colleges in India. Learn more about these Public Administration colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
5.0
3.5 LPA

#16 NIRF

1 Course
8.65 LPA

#50 Outlook

1.45 L
8.1 LPA

#34 NIRF

3.3
3.5 LPA

#42 Outlook

18.9 K
3 LPA

#29 The Week

2.2 L - 5.2 L

#81 India Today

Public Administration Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Private Public Administration Colleges in India

2 Courses
1.5 L - 9.6 L
6 - 7.5 LPA
2 L - 3 L
3 Courses
2 L - 3 L
3.5
48 K - 1.1 L
2.5 - 3 LPA
66 K
2.2 L - 5.2 L

#81 India Today

Public Administration Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Public Administration. Students interested in pursuing a career on Public Administration, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Oct '25

CPGET 2025 Phase II Counselling

TENTATIVE

26 Sep ' 25

CPGET 2025 (Phase I) Provisional Allotment

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Oct '25

SAT Registration Deadline for November Test

TENTATIVE

14 Jul ' 25 - 31 Oct ' 25

JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Counselling

31 Oct ' 25

Last Date for submitting Qualifying Exam result (...

Popular Public Administration UG Courses

Following are the most popular Public Administration UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Public Administration PG Courses

Following are the most popular Public Administration PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some top Public Administration college options offering great placement opportunities to students in India:

Top Public Administration CollegesAverage Package Offered
Jamia Millia Islamia PlacementsINR 9.25 LPA
Banaras Hindu University PlacementsINR 9 LPA
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru PlacementsINR 8.9 LPA
Aligarh Muslim University PlacementsINR 8.6 LPA
Kristu Jayanti College PlacementsINR 8.1 LPA

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some of the top distance Public Administration college options in India:

Distance Public Administration CollegesTuition Fee
IGNOUINR 3,600 - 12,000
Institute of Distance Education, University of MadrasINR 13,350 - 16,710
Netaji Subhas Open UniversityINR 7,600 - 9,900
Andhra University, VisakhapatnamINR 10,400
Vardhman Mahaveer Open UniversityINR 7,500

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Of course, here are some top Public Administration book recommendations for you, along with the regular syllabus:

  • Encyclopaedia of Public Administration by RP Gajanan, Anoop Sharma.
  • Perspectives Of Public Administration by R. K. Arora.
  • Scope and Theory of Public Administration by Daniel Baracskay.
  • Publi

...Read more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Given below are some types of Public Administration course classified based on their mode of education, along with a brief description:

Types of Public Administration Courses

Course Details

Full-Time Public Administration

A regular or full-time Public Administration course is one of the most popular options opted by students. In this students attend the lectures and seminars in the college premises. It aids students in their holistic development. There is a lot of scope for extracurricular activities at the college or inter-college level.

Distance Public Administration

In the Distance mode of the Public Administration course, the students do not attend regular college. They receive study materials and get access to the student portal. They would only have to appear in person for seminars and final examinations.

Online Public Administration

An Online Public Administration Programme can be pursued by candidates who wish to pursue the course without attending regular college or appearing for offline exams. The admission process, lecture delivery, submission of assignments and semester exams are conducted online.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Whether online or offline, you must have the following table for a smooth Public Administration Course application process:

  • Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
  • Valid ID Proof (Adhaar, Passport, PAN Card, etc.)
  • Passport-sized photographs (at least two)
  • Migration Certificate

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

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