BA Public Administration Syllabus & Subjects 2025

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May 15, 2025 13:06PM IST

The BA Public Administration syllabus covers subjects like Public Policy, Indian Administration, Governance, Human Rights Administration, E-Governance, Research Methods, etc. Check out the detailed BA Public Administration syllabus and subjects along with the course structure on this page.

BA Public Administration Syllabus & Subjects Overview

The BA Public Administration syllabus places emphasis on teaching and understanding concepts like secularism, equality, law and order, and justice. Some of the major aspects that are associated with Public Administration include Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting. The BA Public Administration subjects include Workforce Administration, Managerial Science, Basis of Public Administration, Ethical Public Management, Administrative Science, etc.

The primary goal of the BA Public Administration course is to provide students with a deep insight into the functionalities of an administrative structure. Students are required to have completed their 10+2 with at least 50% marks from a recognized board to be eligible for a course in Public Administration at the undergraduate level. The BA Public Administration course structure offers a thorough understanding of many sociological and governmental topics, basics of administration, standards of organisation, decentralisation, delegation, and more. Check out the detailed syllabus and subjects of BA Public Administration course on this page and go through the course curriculum to assess whether this is an ideal course for you.

Related Link: Top BA Public Administration Colleges in India 2025

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BA Public Administration Syllabus Semester-Wise

Before you consider getting admission to the BA in Public Administration programme, you must go through the syllabus and the course curriculum to analyze whether the study piques your interest levels. The BA Public Administration syllabus may vary from college to college. The course duration is three years and is divided into six semesters. The syllabus also includes some elective and optional subjects that the students can choose from based on their interests and preferences. Check out the semester-wise syllabus of BA Public Administration as given below:

BA Public Administration First Year Syllabus

The table below contains the list of BA Public Administration subjects in the first year (semester 1 and semester 2):

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 1

Assigned LegislationAssociation: Meaning and Basis
Department, Board, Corporation, and CommissionHypotheses of Organisation: Classical and Bureaucratic
Managerial LawNew Public Management and Public and Private Administration
Open Administration: Evolution, Nature, Meaning, SignificanceOpen Funds: Accounting and Auditing
Standards of Organisation: Supervision and Control, Span of Control, Hierarchy, Coordination-

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 2

Independent Regulatory CommissionComponents of Personnel Administration: Recruitment, Training/Capacity Building
Types of Organisations: Formal and InformalWorkforce Administration: Meaning; Nature and Significance
Scope of New Public AdministrationBasics of Public Administration
Communication, Decentralisation and DelegationFinancial plan: Preparation and Enactment of Budget, Principles

BA Public Administration Second Year Syllabus

The table below contains the list of BA Public Administration subjects in the second year (semester 3 and semester 4):

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 3

Central AdministrationChief Minister: Appointment Powers and Functions
Elements of Indian AdministrationEnglish Legacies over Indian Administration
Essential Rights and DutiesHead Administrator and Council of Ministers: Appointment, Powers and Role
Ministry of Finance: Organisation and FunctionsPresident: Impeachment, Election, Powers and Position
Service of Home Affairs: Organisation and Role-

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 4

State and District AdministrationIndian Administration in Socio-Economic Development
Committee of Ministers and State LegislatureStates: Constitution Framework, Representative
Powers, Position, Role, Organisation and Structure of State AdministrationState Planning Department and Board
Divisional Commissioner: Functions, Powers, and PositionState Secretariat and Directorate: Organisation and Functions

BA Public Administration Third Year Syllabus

The table below contains the list of BA Public Administration subjects in the third year (semester 5 and semester 6):

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 5

Development AdministrationNearby Government: Meaning, Evolution, Features and Significance
Panchayati Raj Institutions: Functions, CompositionRegion Planning Committee: Composition, Functions and Significance
Rural-Urban AdministrationSources of Income of Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samities and Zila Parishads
State Finance CommissionUrban-Rural Relationship and Problems

BA Public Administration Subjects - Semester 6

Importance and Scope of Development Administration73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts
Directive Principles of State Policy, Association of Planning Agencies, Welfare State, Planning CommissionState Planning Board and Department
Concepts of Welfare StateNational Development Council
Preparation of Five-Year PlansSocial Welfare Administration in India: Women and Children

Also Read: Political Science Vs Public Administration - Which is the best option?

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BA Public Administration Subjects

Projects and assignments are part of the BA Public Administration curriculum, which aims to give students in-depth knowledge of the subjects that they may use to solve real-world issues. The final grades that a student receives are based on their performance on attendance, assignments, tests, and presentations, both internal and external assessments. A vast majority of higher education institutions provide the following BA Public Administration subjects:

Administrative ScienceWorkforce AdministrationPrivate Administration
Ethical Public ManagementManagerial TribunalStrategic Planning and Implementation
Institutional FrameworkOpen AdministrationInternational Policy
Managerial LawManagerial ScienceOrganisational Planning
Political TheoryOpen PolicyProgram Evaluation and Performance Measurement
Welfare StateManaging Public and Non-Profit Sector OrganisationsBasis of Public Administration
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Detailed BA Public Administration Subjects

The academic topics offered by the BA in Public Administration course are varied and offer an interdisciplinary perspective on multiple facets of the field, including New Public Management, Postmodern Public Administration, and Classical Public Administration. The following table provides a thorough overview of some BA Public Administration subjects covered during the course:

Subject NameTopic Covered
Administrative Law
  • Administrative Tribunals
  • Control over Administration
  • Judiciary and Administrative Law
  • The legislature and Administrative Law
Development Administration
  • Area Development Programmes
  • Bureaucracy and Development Administration
  • International Context on Development Administration
  • PRIs
Human Rights Administration 
  • Categories of Human Rights
  • Human Rights Act
  • International Covenant on Human Rights
  • Legal Mechanism for Human Rights
International Administration 
  • International Peace and Security
  • Reforms in the UNO
  • Trends in International Organisation
Introduction to Public Administration 
  • Principles of Organisation
  • Good Governance
  • Approaches to the Study of Public Administration
  • Administrative Organisation
Principles of Management
  • Recent Trends in Management
  • Modern Management Techniques
  • Management Process
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BA Public Administration Common Subjects for All Semesters

As discussed, the arts and humanities are extensively studied in the BA Public Administration curriculum. The primary goal of these training programmes is to offer an in-depth analysis of the staffing, reporting, organising, directing, coordinating, planning, and budgeting basic functions of public administration. The following is a list of BA Public Administration common subjects for all semesters:

  • Rural Development Administration
  • Indian Administration 
  • Financial Plan
  • Decentralisation and Rural Local Self-Government
  • Basics of Public Administration
  • Administrative Theory
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BA Public Administration Optional Subjects

Optional subjects are also called elective subjects since they allow students to select courses depending on their desired interests or professional career goals. However, the course offerings for elective subjects may vary by institution. The elective subjects for BA Public Administration are listed in the table below:

Administrative System in India Administrative Theory
Administrative ThinkersE-Governance
Financial AdministrationHuman Rights Administration
International AdministrationLabour Welfare Administration
Law & Order Administration in IndiaPolice Administration
Political TheoryPublic Personnel Administration
Public Relation State & Districts Administration 
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BA Public Administration Syllabus for Distance Programmes

In India, few universities offer distance education courses in this specialisation. The distance course enhances students' knowledge in areas such as managerial law, managing public and non-profit sector organisations, workforce administration and development, managerial science, administrative science, institutional framework, and more. The following pointers highlight the syllabus for BA Public Administration distance programmes:

  • Administrative law
  • Financial administration
  • Governance and public policy
  • International relations and organisations
  • Local governance
  • Principles of public administration
  • Public personnel administration
  • Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
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BA Public Administration Entrance Exam Syllabus

Students can get admission to the BA Public Administration course based on their merit or entrance exam results. Several states conduct entrance exams to offer admission to their colleges in this discipline. Check out some of the most popular state entrance exams for BA Public Administration admissions as listed below:

Entrance ExamEntrance Exam Syllabus
LPU NESTThe Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test or LPUNEST exam includes topics such as Chemical bonding and molecular structure, Chemical kinetics, Chemical thermodynamics, Human Physiology, Mathematical induction, Mathematical reasoning, Matrices, Permutations, Plant Physiology, Redox reactions and electrochemistry, Solutions, Surface Chemistry, Thermal Physics, Vector algebra, etc.
ITM NESTThe ITM National Entrance and Scholarship Test or ITM NEST exam includes topics such as Active And Passive, Binomial Theorem, Chemical Kinetics, Conjunctions, Economics, Electrochemistry, Electromagnetic Waves, Geography, History, Idioms and Phrases, Indian Polity, Linear Inequalities, One Word Substitutions, Optics, Permutations and Combinations, Surface Chemistry, Synonyms and Antonyms, and more.
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BA Public Administration Important Books

The following table highlights some important books for the BA Public Administration course:

Book Name

Author/s

The Utopia of Rules

John Donne

Public Administration

Lakshmi Narain Agrawal

Indian Public Administration, Wishwa Prakashan, New Delhi

Ramesh K Arora & Rajni Goyal

History of Indian Administration

B P Puri

Governance in India

Harriet Raghunathan

Administrative Thinkers

William Long

A Central Administration

Awasthi

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BA Public Administration Course Structure

Including practical sessions and workshops to enhance comprehension of academic concepts, the BA in Public Administration curriculum and syllabus are highly interactive. The internal assessment includes a research project as a crucial component. The following pointers outline the BA Public Administration course structure:

  • VI Semesters
  • Research Project
  • Elective Subjects
  • Core Subjects
  • Visits by Guest
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FAQs about B.A. Public Administration Syllabus

What are the popular BA Public Administration project topics?

The list of popular BA Public Administration project topics includes the following:

  • Write Several Essays on the Economics of Colleges That Are For-Profit
  • The Impact of Regional Institutional Structures on the Management and Execution of Sustainability Policies
  • Interest Groups in the Development of Urban Policy: An Empirical Study of a Low Salience Policy Environment
  • How Judges' Roles Affect Whether Parties Choose to Work Together in Juvenile Courts

What methodologies and techniques are used to teach BA Public Administration subjects?

Some methodologies and techniques that are used to teach BA Public Administration subjects include case presentations, interactive classroom sessions, assignments, etc. The following list denotes the general teaching strategies:

  • Talk on Scope
  • Study Abroad Opportunities
  • Seminars
  • Project Submission
  • Conceptual Learning
  • Classroom-Based Teaching

What are the core subjects of BA Public Administration?

The core subjects of BA Public Administration are Rural Development Administration, Indian Administration, Financial Plan, Decentralisation and Rural Local Self Government, Basics of Public Administration, Administrative Theory, and so on.

Does the BA Public Administration syllabus incorporate research?

Yes, the BA Public Administration syllabus incorporates research at a minimum level related to their environmental fieldwork and projects. It is a degree at the undergraduate level, so the scope of research is limited. Hence, students who are interested in researching the implementation of government policy or those who want to work in the public service can opt for this course.

Are the BA Public Administration subjects tough to understand?

No, the BA Public Administration subjects are not tough to understand provided students either have an interest or a good idea about the basic administrative laws that operate in India. There are values based on equality, law, order, justice, secularism, and government policies that feature in the BA Public Administration syllabus. Students learn how government programs and policies are developed and implemented across the globe during coursework.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for the 6th semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for the 6th semester incorporate studies about human research management, administrative laws used in India, etc. The list of topics includes Concepts of the Welfare State; National Development Council; Preparation of Five Years Plans; Importance and Scope of Development Administration; Social Welfare Administration in India: Women and Children, etc.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for the 5th semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for the 5th semester introduce students to the elective or optional subjects and research methodologies they can use for social and financial administration. The list of topics includes Rural-Urban Administration; Panchayati Raj Institutions: Composition, Functions; State Finance Commission; Development Administration; Urban-Rural Relationship and Problems, and more.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for the 4th semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for the 4th semester acquaint students with advanced knowledge about Urban Local Administration and other constitutional issues along with their laws. The list of topics includes State and District Administration; Committee of Ministers and State Legislature; Indian Administration in Socio-Economic Development; State Planning Department and Board, and so on.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for the 3rd semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for the 3rd semester introduce students to real-world techniques and procedures about the issues in public administration. The list of topics includes English Legacies over Indian Administration; Elements of Indian Administration; Service of Home Affairs: Organisation and Role; Central Administration; Essential Rights and Duties, etc.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for 2nd semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for 2nd semester are common topics that introduce the students to the advanced concepts they will be taught in the remaining course of their degree. The list of topics includes Basics of Public Administration; Scope of New Public Administration; Independent Regulatory Commission; Communication, Decentralisation and Delegation, and more.

What are the BA Public Administration subjects for 1st semester?

The BA Public Administration subjects for 1st semester are basic topics that usually help students revise concepts they have learned in their class 12. The list of topics includes New Public Management and Public and Private Administration; Open Funds: Accounting and Auditing; Assigned Legislation; Department, Board, Corporation and Commission; Managerial Law, and so on.

What is the syllabus for BA Public Administration?

The syllabus for BA Public Administration consists of both core and elective subjects such as Administrative Systems in India, Administrative Theory, Administrative Thinkers, Basics of Public Administration, E-Governance, Financial Plan, Human Rights Administration, Law and Order Administration in India, Police Administration, Political Theory, Public personnel Administration, Rural Development Administration, State & Districts Administration, etc.

What is the entrance exam syllabus for BA Public Administration?

The entrance exam syllabus for BA Public Administration includes Human Physiology, Mathematical induction, Mathematical reasoning, Matrices, Permutations, Plant Physiology, Redox reactions and electrochemistry, Electrochemistry, Electromagnetic Waves, Geography, History, Idioms and Phrases, Indian Polity, Linear Inequalities, and more.

Which colleges offer the best curriculum for BA Public Administration courses?

Colleges that offer the best curriculum for BA Public Administration courses are Deshbandhu College, Fergusson College, Jyoti Nivas College, Loreto College, Madras Christian College, Miranda House, Presidency College, Chennai, Ranchi Women's College, Scott Christian College, St Xavier's College, and so on.

What are the BA Public Administration elective subjects?

International Administration, Police Administration, E-Governance, Political Theory, State and District Administration, Administrative Thinking, Administrative System in India, Public Personnel Administration, Administrative Theory, and Human Rights Administration are the elective subjects offered to the students of BA Public Administration.

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