X

Principles of Public Administration

By Prof. Mohd.Nafees Ahmad Ansari   |   Aligarh Muslim University
Learners enrolled: 30
ABOUT THE COURSE:
This course thoroughly explores public administration, a discipline dedicated to implementing public policy. The curriculum will delve into the core concepts of public interest, public service motivation, and bureaucratic theory, as well as the historical evolution and contemporary challenges of public administration. Students will gain insights into the public policy process, including policy formulation, implementation, evaluation, and reform. The course will also cover public financial management, human resource management in the public sector, e-governance, ethics and integrity in public service, and comparative public administration. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, this course aims to equip students with a solid foundation in public administration theory and practice, preparing them for careers in public service and policy analysis.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG/PG/PhD and Aspirants of UPSC and State PSC’s

PREREQUISITES: 12th pass
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Core
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points : 4
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 21 Jul 2025
End Date : 10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends : 28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends : 15 Aug 2025
Exam Date : 25 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level   : 6.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1: 
1. Introduction to Public Administration: Concepts and Relevance
2. Public and Private Administration: Comparative Analysis
3. Historical Evolution of Public Administration
4. Public Administration as an Interdisciplinary Subject
5. The Politics-Administration Dichotomy: Relevance and Critique

Week 2: 
6. Behavioral Approach in Public Administration: Insights and Applications
7. Principles of Administration: Fayol, Gulick, and Urwick
8. Max Weber’s Theory of Bureaucracy: Relevance in Contemporary Governance
9. Frederick Taylor’s Scientific Management: Contributions and Criticism
10. Elton Mayo and the Human Relations Movement

Week 3: 
11. Herbert Simon’s Decision-Making Theory: Rationality in Administration
12. Chester Barnard’s Functions of the Executive: Authority and Responsibility
13. Chris Argyris and Organizational Learning
14. Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y in Public Management
15. Good Governance: Principles, Indicators, and Global Experiences

Week 4: 
16. E-Governance and Digital Public Services: Global and Indian Perspectives
17. Public Policy Cycle: Stages from Agenda Setting to Evaluation
18. Policy Networks and Advocacy Coalitions in Decision Making
19. Role of Evidence-Based Policy in Public Administration
20. Public Choice Theory and Decentralization: Enhancing Administrative Effectiveness

Week 5:
21. Decentralized Governance and Local Self-Government
22. Comparative Administration: Models and Methodologies
23. Administration in Federal and Unitary System: Case Studies
24. Western vs Non-Western Administrative Systems: An Overview
25. Public Administration in Developing Countries: Challenges and Reforms

Week 6: 
26. Comparative Study of Administrative Cultures: USA, UK, and India
27. Welfare State Administration: Scandinavian Models and Lessons
28. Historical Evolution of Indian Administration: From Mauryan to British Period
29. Constitutional Framework of Indian Administration: Roles and Responsibilities
30. Union, State, and Concurrent Powers: Administrative Coordination

Week 7: 
31. Role of All-India Services in Indian Administration
32. District Administration in India: Structure and Challenges
33. Role of the Finance Commission in Indian Fiscal Administration
34. Indian Administrative Reforms: Committees and Reports
35. Development Administration: Strategies and Challenges in India

Week 8: 
36. Role of Public Administration in Achieving SDGs
37. Social Equity in Public Administration: Affirmative Action in India
38. Role of Women in Public Administration and Governance
39. Tribal Administration and Policy in India
40. Public Administration and Social Justice: Indian Experiences

Week 9: 
41. Public Accountability Mechanisms: RTI and Social Audits in India
42. Administrative Corruption: Causes, Effects, and Control Mechanisms
43. Ethics in Public Service: Case Studies and Global Standards
44. Leadership Styles in Public Administration: Theory, Practice and Challenges
45. Citizen-Centric Administration: Participatory Governance Models

Week 10: 
46. Role of Judiciary in Administrative Accountability
47. Budgetary Process in India: Preparation Enactment and Execution
48. Zero-Based Budgeting and Performance Budgeting
49. Role of Comptroller and Auditor General in Fiscal Accountability
50. Fiscal Federalism and Resource Allocation in India

Week 11: 
51. Public Debt Management: Challenges and Reforms
52. Impact of Globalization on Public Administration
53. Climate Change Governance and Environmental Administration
54. Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure Development
55. Crisis and Disaster Management: Case Studies from India

Week 12: 
56. Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Public Administration
57. Governance during Pandemics: Lessons from COVID-19
58. Future Trends in Public Administration: Innovations and Challenges
59. Research Methods in Public Administration: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
60. Public Administration Pedagogy: Bridging Theory and Practice

Books and references

  1. Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth 
  2. Administrative Thinkers by D. Ravindra Prasad 
  3. Indian Public Administration by Arora and Goyal 
  4. Public Administration and Public Affairs by Nicholas Henry 
  5. New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya 
  6. Indian Government and Politics by B.L. Fadia and Kuldeep Fadia 
  7. Awasthi and Maheshwari, Public Administration

Instructor bio

Prof. Mohd.Nafees Ahmad Ansari

Aligarh Muslim University
Professor Nafees Ahmad Ansari, a renowned academic and visionary leader, serves as the Chairman of the Department of Political Science at Aligarh Muslim University. With a deep-rooted commitment to academic excellence and innovation, Professor Ansari has made significant contributions to the field of public administration through his extensive research, impactful teaching, and dynamic administrative leadership. Recognized for his expertise in Administrative Thought, Governance, and Public Policy, Professor Ansari's scholarly work has inspired students and academics alike. As the head of the Department of Political Science, he has been instrumental in implementing innovative teaching methodologies and spearheading groundbreaking research initiatives, elevating the department to a leading center for the study of political science in India. Professor Ansari's unwavering dedication to education, research, and institutional development continues to shape the intellectual and social landscape of Aligarh Muslim University.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 25 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and AMU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI team


MHRD logo Swayam logo

DOWNLOAD APP

Goto google play store

FOLLOW US