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Preparing for UGC NET in Public Administration requires a clear understanding of the subject’s comprehensive syllabus. Paper II in Public Administration covers the evolution of administrative theories, organizational behavior, governance practices, and India’s administrative system. This article gives you a unit-wise detailed syllabus along with useful preparation insights to help you excel in the exam.
📘 Unit I – Introduction to Public Administration
- Meaning, scope, and significance of Public Administration
- Wilson’s vision of Public Administration
- Evolution of the discipline
- Politics and administration interface
- Comparative Public Administration
- Development Administration
- New Public Administration and New Public Management
- Good Governance practices
- Concept of Accountability and Control
👉 This unit builds the foundation by focusing on the evolution, scope, and paradigms of Public Administration.
📘 Unit II – Administrative Thought
- Scientific Management (F.W. Taylor)
- Classical Theory (Henri Fayol, Luther Gulick, Mooney and Reiley)
- Bureaucratic Theory (Max Weber)
- Human Relations Theory (Elton Mayo)
- Behavioural Approach (Herbert Simon)
- Decision-Making Theory
- Systems Approach (Chester Barnard)
- Ecological Approach (Fred Riggs)
- Contributions of Peter Drucker, Chris Argyris, and Rensis Likert
👉 Covers theoretical frameworks and contributions of major thinkers who shaped Public Administration as a discipline.
📘 Unit III – Administrative Behaviour
- Decision-making processes
- Communication in organizations
- Leadership models and styles
- Motivation theories—Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor, etc.
- Morale and its impact
- Accountability and control
- Administrative culture
- Conflict management strategies
👉 Focuses on organizational psychology and individual behavior within administrative systems.
📘 Unit IV – Organisations
- Types of organizations: Formal and Informal
- Structures—Line, Staff, and Auxiliary agencies
- Department, Board, Corporation, Commission
- Chief Executive—Types, powers, and functions
- Centralization vs Decentralization
- Delegation of authority
- Supervision and Coordination
👉 Helps students understand organizational structures and the role of chief executives.
📘 Unit V – Public Personnel Administration
- Recruitment, Training, Promotion, and Retirement policies
- Position classification systems
- Performance Appraisal methods
- Employer-Employee Relations
- Integrity and Discipline
- Civil Services in India
👉 This unit focuses on human resource management in the public sector.
📘 Unit VI – Financial Administration
- Budget: Formulation, Execution, and Types
- Performance Budgeting and Zero-Based Budgeting
- Audit and Accounting mechanisms
- Role of the Finance Ministry
- Control over public expenditure
- Parliamentary financial committees
👉 Provides knowledge on government budgeting, auditing, and financial control processes.
📘 Unit VII – Union Government and Administration in India
- President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers
- Cabinet Secretariat and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- Central Secretariat functions
- Ministries and Departments
- Planning Commission and NITI Aayog
- Regulatory authorities
- Civil Services and Administrative Reforms
👉 Highlights the structure and functioning of Union Government administration in India.
📘 Unit VIII – State and Local Government in India
- Governor, Chief Minister, and State Secretariat
- Directorates and State Services
- District Administration
- Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies
- Devolution of powers under 73rd & 74th Amendments
- Challenges in local governance
- Municipal governance reforms
👉 Covers grassroots-level governance and the role of states in administration.
📘 Unit IX – Public Policy and Governance
- Policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation
- Stakeholders in policy: bureaucracy, political executive, NGOs, etc.
- Good Governance and e-Governance initiatives
- Citizen participation mechanisms
- Transparency and Accountability
- Social Audit practices
- Right to Information (RTI) and Lokpal
👉 Deals with governance mechanisms and policy-making processes.
📘 Unit X – Comparative and Development Administration
- Comparative Public Administration: Concepts, relevance, and models (Riggs, etc.)
- Development Administration: Concepts, features, and challenges
- Bureaucracy and Development debates
- Role of international organizations (UNDP, IMF, World Bank)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
👉 Provides global perspectives and links administration with development and sustainability.
✍️ Preparation Tips for UGC NET Public Administration
- Understand Thinkers Deeply – Revise contributions of Wilson, Weber, Taylor, and Riggs.
- Solve PYQs – Analyze previous year questions to identify recurring topics.
- Mock Tests & Practice – Attempt full-length mock tests regularly to build speed and accuracy.
- Current Affairs Linkage – Relate Good Governance, e-Governance, and SDGs with recent administrative reforms in India.
- Make Notes – Prepare unit-wise notes for last-minute revisions.
🔑 Final Words
Public Administration as a subject offers a blend of theory, governance practices, and contemporary reforms. With the right mix of conceptual clarity, practice through mock tests, and analytical preparation, you can confidently attempt Paper II.
At ANSS Academy, we provide comprehensive mock tests and mentorship support to help aspirants master this subject and clear UGC NET/SET examinations with ease.
