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Public Administration Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025
Complete syllabus guide for Public Administration Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.
Public Administration as an optional subject combines theoretical understanding with practical governance knowledge. The syllabus covers administrative theories, Indian administration, and contemporary governance issues. Success requires connecting theoretical concepts with real administrative scenarios and current affairs.
Paper I: Administration Theory
Foundations of Public Administration
1. Introduction
- Meaning, scope and significance
- Wilson's vision of Public Administration
- Evolution and present status
- New Public Administration
- Public Choice approach
- Challenges of liberalization and globalization
- Good Governance and New Public Management
2. Administrative Thought
- Scientific Management movement
- Weber's bureaucratic model
- Dynamic Administration (Mary Parker Follett)
- Human Relations School
- Functions of the Executive (C.I. Barnard)
- Simon's decision-making theory
- Participative Management
3. Administrative Behaviour
- Decision-making process
- Communication
- Morale and Motivation Theories
- Leadership Theories
- Traditional and Modern approaches
Organizational and Legal Framework
4. Organizations
- Theories and systems
- Structure and forms
- Ministries and Departments
- Corporations and Companies
- Regulatory Authorities
- Public-Private Partnerships
5. Accountability and Control
- Legislative control
- Executive control
- Judicial control
- Citizen's Charters
- Right to Information
- Social audit
6. Administrative Law
- Meaning and significance
- Dicey on Administrative law
- Delegated legislation
- Administrative Tribunals
Development and Personnel
7-8. Development Administration
- Comparative Public Administration
- Development dynamics
- Bureaucracy and development
- Market debate
- Women and development
9. Personnel Administration
- Human resource development
- Recruitment and training
- Performance appraisal
- Service conditions
- Administrative ethics
Policy and Financial Management
10. Public Policy
- Policy-making models
- Implementation process
- Monitoring and evaluation
- State theories
- Policy formulation
11. Administrative Techniques
- Organization and methods
- Work management
- E-governance
- Management tools
- Network analysis
12. Financial Administration
- Monetary and fiscal policies
- Public debt
- Budgetary process
- Financial accountability
- Accounts and audit
Paper II: Indian Administration
Historical and Constitutional Framework
1. Evolution of Indian Administration
- Kautilya Arthashastra
- Mughal administration
- British rule legacy
- Indianization of Public services
- Local self Government
2. Constitutional Framework
- Constitutional features
- Constitutionalism
- Political culture
- Bureaucracy and democracy
- Development dynamics
3. Public Sector
- Public sector in modern India
- Types of PSUs
- Autonomy and control
- Impact of liberalization
- Privatization effects
Government Structure and Planning
4. Union Government
- Executive structure
- Parliament functions
- Cabinet Secretariat
- Prime Minister's Office
- Ministries and Departments
5-6. Planning and State Administration
- Planning Commission
- National Development Council
- State-level planning
- Decentralized planning
- Union-State relations
7-8. District and Civil Services
- District Administration
- Collector's role
- Civil Services structure
- Training and capacity building
- Good governance initiatives
Development and Administration
9-10. Financial and Administrative Reforms
- Budget management
- Audit system
- Reform committees
- Implementation challenges
- Human resource development
11-12. Rural and Urban Development
- Rural development programs
- Panchayati Raj
- 73rd Amendment
- Urban Local Government
- 74th Amendment
13-14. Law and Administration
- Police Administration
- Law and order maintenance
- Administrative values
- Corruption issues
- Disaster management
Preparation Strategy:
1. Master administrative theories and their practical applications.
2. Stay updated with current administrative reforms and governance issues.
3. Focus on case studies and real administrative scenarios.
4. Connect theoretical concepts with current governance challenges.
5. Practice answer writing with proper administrative terminology.
Recommended Study Resources
Essential Books
- • Public Administration - Mohit Bhattacharya
- • Administrative Thinkers - D. Ravindra Prasad
- • Indian Administration - Fadia & Fadia
- • Indian Public Administration - Ramesh K Arora
- • Administrative Theory - Avasthi & Maheshwari
Reference Materials
- • Constitution of India
- • Administrative Law Texts
- • Committee Reports on Administrative Reforms
- • Public Administration Review Journal
- • Indian Journal of Public Administration
Government Publications
- • Administrative Reforms Commission Reports
- • Planning Commission Documents
- • Budget Documents
- • Parliamentary Committee Reports
- • Ministry Annual Reports
Online Resources
- • Ministry of Personnel Website
- • NITI Aayog Portal
- • DoPT Circulars and Orders
- • Civil Services News Portal
- • E-governance Initiatives Portal
Study Materials
- • Previous Years' Question Papers
- • Case Studies in Administration
- • Current Affairs in Public Administration
- • Administrative Reform Analysis
- • Governance Issue Compilations