UPSC Mains: Public Administration Optional – Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

Public Administration (Pub Ad) is one of the most popular optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Its relevance to governance, policy-making, and administration makes it both a theoretical and practical subject. Below is a detailed and descriptive analysis of the Public Administration Optional syllabus, divided into Paper I (Administrative Theory) and Paper II (Indian Administration).

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PAPER I: Administrative Theory

This paper focuses on the foundational principles, thinkers, administrative behavior, and the evolution of Public Administration as a discipline.

1. Introduction to Public Administration

• Meaning, Scope, and Significance of the Subject
• Evolution of Public Administration as an academic discipline.
• Its interdisciplinary nature and significance in modern governance.
• Wilson’s Vision of Public Administration
• Politics-Administration Dichotomy.
• Evolution and Status of the Discipline
• Development through various phases: Politics-administration dichotomy, Principles approach, Human relations approach, Behavioral and post-behavioral approaches.
• Comparative Public Administration
• Evolution, major themes, and its relevance.
• Development Administration
• Origin, objectives, features, and contributions of thinkers like Edward Weidner.

2. Administrative Thought

• Scientific Management Theory – F.W. Taylor
• Principles of scientific management and criticism.
• Classical Theory – Henri Fayol, Luther Gulick, Mooney and Reiley
• POSDCORB, principles of organization.
• Human Relations School – Elton Mayo and Hawthorne Experiments
• Informal organization and worker satisfaction.
• Behavioral Approach – Chester Barnard, Herbert Simon
• Decision-making theory, zone of indifference.
• Systems Approach – Peter Drucker, C. West Churchman
• Organization as a system of interrelated parts.
• Decision-Making Theory – Herbert Simon
• Bounded rationality, fact-value dichotomy.
• Ecological Approach – F.W. Riggs
• Prismatic society, sala and bazaar-canteen models.

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3. Administrative Behaviour

• Decision Making – Models of rationality, Simon’s Satisficing.
• Theories of Motivation – Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor (Theory X and Y), McClelland.
• Communication – Types, barriers, importance in administration.
• Leadership Theories – Trait theory, Behavioural theories, Contingency models.
• Morale and Productivity – Organizational climate, employee engagement.

4. Organizations

• Principles of Organization – Hierarchy, Unity of Command, Span of Control, Delegation.
• Forms of Organizational Structure – Line, Staff, Matrix, Project.
• Departmentalization – Bases and implications.
• Chief Executive – Functions and styles.
• Line and Staff Agencies – Role clarity and coordination.
• Public Corporations and Regulatory Commissions – Role, autonomy, accountability.

5. Accountability and Control

• Concept of Accountability and Control
• Political, legal, administrative, and social accountability.
• Legislative Control – Parliamentary Committees, Budget scrutiny.
• Judicial Control – Administrative Tribunals, Public Interest Litigation.
• Citizen and Administration – RTI, Citizen’s Charter, E-governance, Social audit.
• Role of Media, Civil Society, and NGOs in ensuring accountability.

6. Administrative Law

• Meaning and Scope
• Delegated legislation, quasi-judicial authorities.
• Concepts of Rule of Law and Due Process
• Administrative Tribunals – Efficiency vs. fairness.

7. Comparative Public Administration (CPA)

• Concept, Nature, and Evolution
• Fred Riggs’ Contributions – Prismatic and fused societies.
• Comparative methods – Their utility in administration.

8. Development Dynamics

• Concept of Development Administration
• Objectives, challenges, and agencies.
• Role of Bureaucracy in Development
• Changing Profile of Development Administration
• Participatory Development
• Role of NGOs, Self Help Groups, and Civil Society.

9. Personnel Administration

• Recruitment and Training
• UPSC, State PSCs, LBSNAA, Sardar Patel Institute.
• Career Planning and Development
• Morale and Motivation
• Employee Unions and Civil Service Conduct
• Code of Conduct and Discipline
• Administrative Ethics
• Integrity, accountability, and code of ethics.

10. Public Policy

• Formulation, Implementation, and Evaluation
• Models of Policy-making
• Incremental, Rational, and Mixed Scanning.
• Role of Think Tanks, Pressure Groups, and Bureaucracy

11. Techniques of Administrative Improvement

• Work Study, Work Measurement
• O&M (Organisation and Methods)
• Management by Objectives (MBO)
• Management Information System (MIS)
• PERT and CPM
• Total Quality Management (TQM)

12. Financial Administration

• Budget – Types, process, and implementation.
• Performance and Zero-Based Budgeting
• PPBS (Planning, Programming, Budgeting System)
• Audit and Accounting
• Role of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

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PAPER II: Indian Administration

Paper II applies the theoretical foundations to the Indian context. It covers historical evolution, administrative systems, reforms, and current challenges in Indian administration.

1. Evolution of Indian Administration

• Ancient to Modern Times – Mauryan, Mughal, British legacies.
• Constitutional Framework – Federalism, Parliamentary democracy.
• Continuity and Change – Administrative structures post-Independence.

2. Philosophical and Constitutional Framework

• Constitutionalism – Rule of law, separation of powers.
• Values in Public Service – Integrity, accountability, and non-partisanship.
• Democratic and Ethical Governance
• Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

3. Union Government and Administration

• President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers
• Cabinet Secretariat, PMO, Ministries and Departments
• Central Secretariat
• Planning Commission/NITI Aayog

4. State Government and Administration

• Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers
• State Secretariat and Directorates
• Administrative Decentralization

5. District Administration

• Role of District Collector
• Evolution and Changing Role
• District Planning Committees
• Law and Order Machinery

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6. Local Government

• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
• Urban and Rural Governance
• Challenges of Decentralization
• Municipal Governance and Smart Cities

7. Union–State Relations

• Legislative, Administrative, and Financial Relations
• Inter-State Council, Zonal Councils
• Finance Commission, GST Council

8. Public Sector Undertakings

• Evolution and Role in Nation-Building
• Problems of Autonomy and Accountability
• Privatization and Disinvestment

9. Regulatory Authorities

• SEBI, TRAI, IRDAI, CCI
• Need for Regulation in Liberalized Economy

10. Civil Services in India

• Recruitment and Training
• Civil Services Reforms
• Performance Appraisal, Promotions, Lateral Entry
• Ethics and Integrity
• Role of UPSC and SPSC

11. Financial Management

• Budgetary Process at Central and State Level
• Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee
• Role of CAG
• Finance Commission and Fiscal Federalism

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12. Administrative Reforms

• Major Committees – ARC I, ARC II, Hota Committee, Surinder Nath Committee.
• e-Governance and Digital India Initiatives
• Citizen-Centric Administration
• Sevottam Model, Public Service Delivery Act

13. Law and Order Administration

• Police Reforms
• Role of Central Armed Police Forces
• Criminal Justice System
• Modernization of Policing
• Disaster Management Framework

14. Significant Issues in Indian Administration

• Corruption and Anti-Corruption Measures
• Lokpal, Lokayukta, CVC, CBI.
• Administrative Culture and Ethics
• Relations between Political and Permanent Executive
• Capacity Building and HR Management
• Public Grievance Redress Mechanism – CPGRAMS

? Conclusion

The Public Administration syllabus offers a comprehensive overview of both the theoretical foundations of governance and its practical functioning in the Indian context. A strategic and integrated approach to Paper I and Paper II, with special focus on current developments and administrative case studies, can significantly enhance scoring potential.

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