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Home > Articles > MA Public Adminstration: Fees, IGNOU, Colleges, Admissions, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Top Colleges
Updated on 18th September, 2023 , 10 min read
The full form of MA Public Administration is Master of Arts in Public Administration. It is a two-year postgraduate course. It focuses on the study and application of the management of public organizations, public policies, and governance.
It aims to equip students with the skills and expertise needed to operate a public organization. It also offers specialization in various fields such as law, political science, economics, management, etc. Internships are an essential part of this program, helping students to build experience and networks within the public sector.
Admission into this course is done on both merit and entrance basis. MA Public Administration entrance exam includes BHU PET, AMU ET, and JMI EE.
The eligibility for MA Public Administration is for the course, students must have a 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA in their graduation degree from a recognized university.
MA Public Administration fees are INR 5,000 – 1,20,000 Lakhs. Some of the top MA Public Administration colleges are Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU Delhi, and IGNOU among others.
MA Public Administration syllabus includes topics on Political Theory, Indian Constitution, Public Personnel, and Public Thought.
MA Public Administration jobs include Professors, Public Policy Analysts, Policy Advocacy, Public Administration, and more. MA Public Administration salary ranges from INR 3.5 – 20 LPA. Some of the top recruiters for this course are HDFC Bank, DLF, and Godrej.
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | MA Public Administration |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Course Full Form | Master of Arts in Public Administration. |
Course Duration | 2 Years |
Course Types | Full-time/Distance Education |
Admission Process | Merit and Entrance Based |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50-55% marks from any stream from a recognized university/college. |
Entrance Exams | |
Course Fees | 5,000 – 1,20,000 Lakhs. |
Top Colleges | |
Average Salary in India | INR 3.5 – 20 LPA |
Syllabus | Political Theory, Indian Constitution, Public Personnel and Public Thought. |
Job Profiles | Professors, Public Policy Analysts, Policy Advocacy, Public Administration and more. |
Top Recruiters | HDFC Bank, DLF and Godrej. |
The duration of MA Public Administration in India is 2 years, which is divided into 4 semesters. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the university or institution offering the course. MA Public Administration distance education programs may have a longer duration, up to 5 years, compared to the regular full-time course.
MA Public Administration is offered to students in two modes that can be pursued full-time or via distance education.
MA Public Administration Full-time: Regular MA Public Administration programs are courses that are typically completed within a duration of two years. This program involves attending classes, fieldwork, and research projects. Full-time courses often provide a more immersive learning experience and are ideal for individuals who want to pursue a career in the event industry and take on leadership roles.
MA Public Administration Distance Education: This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis due to personal or professional commitments and require flexibility in choosing their study time. Distance learning programs utilize online platforms, study materials, and virtual interactions to deliver course content. Students can access lectures, submit assignments, and participate in discussions remotely.
India Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) also offers students MA Public Administration program in distance mode. School of Social Sciences offers this program. IGNOU is A well-recognized university that offers over 277 courses for students to pursue. Taking admission to this university can be worthwhile for students as students can learn about topics like public administration and its functioning.
The total fee for MA Public Administration offered by IGNOU is INR 14,600, which could be paid annually. Students can study in both English and Hindi.
To pursue this program, students should have a bachelor's degree in any department of study from a recognized university. No age limit is defined by the university.
MA Public Administration in India normally costs anywhere between INR 5,000 – 1,20,000 Lakhs. Depending on the university, college, and region, different MA Public Administration programs may have different costs. Given below is an overview of the fees for this course.
Name of the College | Average Fees |
INR 29,600 | |
INR 1,730 | |
INR 14,400 |
Name of the College | Average Fees |
INR 1.50 Lakh | |
INR 2,00,000 | |
INR 86,400 |
Name of the College/University | Location | Average Annual Fees |
Hyderabad | INR 1.57 Lakhs | |
New Delhi | INR 14,400 | |
New Delhi | INR 738 | |
Hyderabad | INR 15,380 | |
Delhi | INR 1.12 Lakhs | |
Bengaluru | INR 1.30 Lakhs | |
Delhi (Distance College) | INR 14,000 |
It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their undergraduate examinations or prepare well for the entrance exam. Given below is an overview of both modes of admission:
There are many entrance exams for students to pursue MA Public Administration in India, conducted by various universities every year.
As there are several MA Public Administration entrance exams in India, every university has designed its own exam pattern. But there are some common topics in the MA Entrance exam syllabus:
Subjects | Topics |
Political Science | Basics of Political Theory Major Political Ideologies Comparative Government and Politics Public Administration and Governance |
Indian Polity
| Constitution of India Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Duties Parliament and Legislative Bodies Executive and Judiciary |
Public Administration
| Introduction to public administration Evolution of public administration Administrative theories and concepts Principles of organization and management |
Public Policy
| Policy Formulation and Implementation Policy Analysis and Evaluation Regulatory Policies Social and Economic Policies |
Social and Economic Issues
| Poverty, Inequality, and Development Social Justice and Welfare Programs Economic Planning and Policies |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | National and International Current Events Government Policies and Programs Social, Economic, and Political Issues |
Research Methodology | Basics of Research Methodology Research Design and Methods Data Collection and Analysis Writing Research Reports |
Quantitative Aptitude | Basic Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry Data Interpretation and Analysis |
English Language and Comprehension | Grammar and vocabulary Reading Comprehension |
MA Public Administration syllabus will vary from college to college; however, given below is an overview of the topics in each semester and year:
MA Public Administration Syllabus: 1st Year | |
Semester – 1 | Semester – 2 |
Political Theory | Organizational Behaviour |
Business Administration | Indian Constitution |
Politics and Administration | Public Administration and Computer Applications |
Administrative Theory | Comparative Public Administration |
Environmental Policy and Administration | Public Personnel Administration and Human Resource Management |
Financial Administration | - |
MA Public Administration Syllabus: 2nd Year | |
Semester – 3 | Semester – 4 |
Viva Voice | Public Thought |
Public Administration in India | Social Welfare Administration |
Issues in India Administration | Rural Administration |
Public Policy | Urban Local Administration |
Research Methodology | - |
Elements | MA Public Administration | |
Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
Entrance Exams | AMU ET, BHU PET | |
Course fees | INR 5,000 - INR 1,20,000. | INR 20,000 to INR 40 Lakh |
Average Salary | 4.5 Lakh to 9 Lakh | 5 Lakh to 12 Lakh |
Focus | Public Administration, Governance, Public Policy | Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Leadership |
Job Opportunities | Public Policy Analysts, Policy Advocacy, Public Administration | Sales and Marketing, Financial Services, Consulting |
MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Pune
Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Public Administration that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course:
Name of the Book | Author’s Name |
Public Administration in India | M. Laxmikanth |
Indian Administration | S.R. Maheshwari |
Public Administration: Concepts and Theories | Rumki Basu |
Governance in India | M.P. Sharma |
Administrative Thinkers | Prasad and Prasad |
Given below is an overview of some of the key job roles that MA Public Administration graduates can explore:
Job Profile | Job Description |
Budget Analyst | The role of Budget Analyst is to manage and review data related to finance to help the company manage their budget. |
Tax Examiner | The role of Tax Examiner is to review tax returns, audit preparation to interpret complex Tax laws. |
Administrative Officer | The role of Administrative Officer is to manage and supervise day-to day operations and functions of the office |
Consultant | The role of consultant is to provide advice to the client and develop effective strategies according to the client’s needs. |
Political Scientist | The role of Political Scientist is to analyze different aspects of government, politics, and their impact on ‌society. |
Policy Analyst | The role of a policy analyst is to conduct policy research, collect relevant data, and evaluate the impact of proposed policies. |
Urban Planner | The role of Urban Planner is to design and create sustainable urban environments that are functional and aesthetically appealing. |
MA Public Administration salary ranges from INR 3.5 – 20 LPA. This can vary widely based on factors such as job role, years of experience, geographical location, company size, and industry sector. Below is a general salary overview for some key job roles in holding an MA Public Administration:
Job Profile | Salary |
Budget Analyst | INR 3.5 – 8 LPA |
Tax Examiner | INR 3.5 – 7.5 LPA |
Administrative Officer | INR 4 – 10 LPA |
Consultant | INR 5 – 15 LPA |
Political Scientist | INR 4 – 10 LPA |
Policy Analyst | INR 4.5 – 12 LPA |
Urban Planner | INR 5 – 12 LPA |
After completing a degree in MA Public Administration, there are various opportunities one can get in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. There are various roles in the market for them like Budget analyst, Tax Examiner, Administrative Officer, Consultant, Political Scientist, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Program Manager, Development Officer, Urban Planner, etc.
If a student wants to study further after completing MA Public Administration, they are various programs available in India such as, Ph. D in Public Administration, Executive MBA, Financial Risk Management Certification, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Specialized Master’s program, International Studies or Diplomacy, Nonprofit Management, etc.
After completing MA Public Administration, student gets a ton of job opportunities like Budget analyst, Tax Examiner, Administrative Officer, Consultant, Political Scientist, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Program Manager, Development Officer, Urban Planner
If you're curious about the public sector and passionate about working in this sector, MA Public Administration might be a rewarding opportunity for you and your career. It provides job opportunities in Government agencies, Private Sector, and Non-profit organizations.
In MA Public Administration, students will learn about various subjects related to Public Administration such as Public Policy, Buisness Administration, Organizational Behavior, Puclic Thought and Indian Constitution.
Yes, MA Public Administration can be a good choice if you want to prepare for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Studying this program will give students knowledge and background in public policy and governance.
The difficulty level of this program can vary from person to person, as everybody has their own learning and understanding capacity. But Public Administration is considered relatively easier to study.