Public Administration is very tricky optional to score well in UPSC exam. In this article we will find out that how we can be able to score good marks with this subject.

Facts about Public Administration

The most important thing in this optional is Conceptual Clarity. Unfortunately most of us rely completely on coaching notes and end up having only superficial knowledge which is very dangerous in present setup of UPSC exam and especially in Public Administration. All of us write answers in Public Administration and feel that we have written it well but the problem is most of us interpret questions differently and end up writing different answers. The correct interpretation of question will only happen if your concepts are clear.

In the last two years, UPSC has deliberately increased the difficulty level of question paper as they are more interested in those students who have conceptual clarity and ability to write those concepts in a simple manner. For that, you need to study some basic books so that you develop good understanding of the subject. Books are vary from person to person and there are many books on Public Administration, all of them are equally good but whichever book you are studying, study it well, study it multiple times.

How to write answer in Public Administration Optional?

Answer writing is very important in Public Administration papers. You must write some answers before mains and show it your optional trainer/mentor or someone like senior aspirants or toppers to evaluate.

Write answer in point format as much as possible so that you can fit more content in few lines. Remember, your answers will be more concise and to the point which will be helpful for the examiner to evaluate decently. Use as simple language as possible and strictly "Say No to Flowery Language" without any content. One of the very important thing which we must follow while writing answers is our ability to interlink the Paper one and Paper two together. For this, you must remember the syllabus completely. Read the whole syllabus everyday for 5 minutes, Close your eyes and try to interlink them.

What to study for Public Administration?

For Paper - 1

• For Introduction prefer Vajiram class notes (best for this chapter) and read few pages of Paradigms of Public Administration By Nicholas Henry [Read Online]
• Restructuring Public Administration from A New Look by Mohit Bhattacharya [Buy from Flipkart]
• Administrative Thought from Administrative Thinkers by Prasad & Prasad [Buy from Flipkart]
• Administrative Behaviour read it from New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya [Buy from Flipkart]
• Accountability and Control read it from New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya and 2nd ARC report [Wikipedia Link].
• Administrative Law read it from Fadia & Fadia Paper one.
• Comparative Public Administration read it from Prasad and Prasad, Ramesh K Arora, fadia & Fadia Paper one.
• Development Dynamics read it from Social Theory and Development Administration [Buy from Flipkart]
• Personnel Administration read it from New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya
• Public Policy read it from Vajiram classnotes, Mohit Bhattacharya and Prasad & Prasad.
• Financial Administration read it from Vajiram classnotes, 2nd ARC.

For Paper - 2

For this paper 2nd ARC is the most important study source. Apart from that Economic Survey is also good for collection of data and news related to administrative problems and reforms are also very useful.

• Evolution of India Administration read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora. [Buy from Flipkart]
• Philosophical and Constitutional framework of Government read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora.
• Public Sector Undertakings from Vajiram classnotes.
• Union Government and Administration read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora.
• Plans and Priorities read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC, 12th plan approach paper of Planning Commission.
• State Government and Administration read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, Punchhi Commission report, 2nd ARC Report.
• District Administration since Independence read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Civil Services read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Financial Management read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Administrative reforms since Independence read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Rural Development read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Union Local Government read it from Indian Administration by Rajni Goyal and Ramesh K Arora, 2nd ARC report.
• Law and Order Administration read it from 2nd ARC report and Punchhi Commission report.
• Significant issues in Indian Administration read it from 2nd ARC report, Internet and Current Affairs.