MA (Master of Arts) Public Administration Course Colleges, Jobs, Syllabus, Scope, Admission 2023

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Ahana Bhaduri

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MA Public Administration is a 2-year post-graduate program offered by the Social Science department of various universities across the country. The main aim of the course is to provide comprehensive knowledge on the interrelationships between State, Society and Administration.

Candidates should have a minimum aggregate of 50% or its equivalent CGPA in graduation from a recognized university to be eligible for the course. This course will enlighten the learners on various administrative theories, postulates, models, process, methods etc. 

Admission to MA in Public Administration is mostly through entrance examination. Various colleges conduct their own entrance examination. But some colleges, like the Madras Christian college, take admission on the basis of merit as well.


The course offers specializations in a variety of subjects such as management, political science, economics, civics, law, among others.

Candidates can pursue MA in Public Administration as a full time course or even as a part time course. Many colleges, like the IGNOU, also offer this course in distance learning mode.

The average annual tuition fees to study a full time MA Public Administration program ranges from INR 5,000 - INR 1,20,000 depending on the college.MA Public Administration graduates can pursue jobs in the private sector and work as a human resource manager, legal counsellor, consultant, or marketing manager. They will also get huge job opportunities in the various administrative departments of the government. The average starting salary ranges from INR 4-7 Lakhs.

After MA Public Administration, a candidate can also go for higher studies and research in this field such as PhD and MPhil Degree in Public Administration.

Course Level Post Graduate
Full form Master of Arts (Public Administration)
Duration 2 years
Examination type Semester
Eligibility Graduate from a recognized university
Admission process Entrance exam based and merit based
Course fee INR 60,000-1,00,000
Average Salary INR 4 – 7 LPA
Top Recruiting Companies Air India, DLF, Godrej, HCL, HDFC Bank, India Bulls, Maruti Suzuki, NTPC
Job Positions Lecturer, Researcher, The foreign service, Tax examiner, Budget analyst, Consultant

Check the below mentioned points to know more about Master of Public Administration course details:

  • MA Public Administration is a postgraduate Public Administration course. This program is a professional degree course in the public sector and it prepares individuals to serve as administrators.
  • The course duration is divided into four semesters. It can be pursued through correspondence or distance education also. 
  • The Master of Public Administration course gives students a basic understanding of the mechanism of various government agencies and their functioning. 
  • It also covers several socio-political issues which need to be addressed in our society. 
  • It deals mainly with financial administration and the basics of Administrative theory.
  • Candidates who possess good communication skills, both written and verbal, team-spirit, the ability to handle and comprehend numerical data are most suitable for this course.
  •  This course also demands leadership abilities which helps the candidates carry out their practical work (field work) efficiently.

Why MA Public Administration?

Candidates can choose MA in Public Administration due to it following advantages:

  • MA (Public Administration) degree assists as a basis for further higher studies and research in this field such as Ph.D and M.Phil Degree in Public Administration
  • Master of Public Administration graduates currently serve in some important positions within the public sector. 
  • This list includes Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, former CIA Director David Petraeus, former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
  • On successful completion of Master’s degree in Public Administration, a student can apply for the UGC-NET or JRF exam; the success in these exams makes teaching or research as good options. 
  • Many public administration and social policy graduates find employment in management positions within public sector organizations, such as the NHS(National Health Service) authorities and the criminal justice system. 
  • Opportunities also occur in social work and other personal social services work, social and political research organizations and further and higher education institutions with sufficient compensation. 
  • There are several MA Public Administration job opportunities for graduates offered by Indian Civil Services, Land Revenue Bodies, Municipal Corporations and various healthcare organizations.
why study ma public adminnistration

MA Public Administration Admission Process

In general, admission to Master of Public Administration is based on either merit (scores in graduate) and/or various entrance examinations conducted by university/college offering the course. Personal Interview rounds are also conducted.

Following are the common MA (Public Administration) admission process in details:

Merit Based Admission

Colleges like Madras Christian College – Chennai, Nizam College – Hyderabad, Presidency College – Chennai provide admission on the basis of marks scored in the qualifying examination. 

Here are steps for merit based admission:

  • Candidates can either apply to the college online or offline by downloading the application form from the college website
  • On filling up the application form, the candidates can pay the application fee either online or through Demand Draft as per the guidelines
  • Post submitting the application form, the college declares the cut off list on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates in their graduation. 
  • Upon getting shortlisted, few colleges take group discussions and personal interviews on the basis of which, the final selection is made. 
  • Such candidates are asked to report at the institution for completing the admission process.

Entrance Based Admission

  • Some universities like Jamia Millia Islamia University-Delhi, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University conduct entrance exams for admission to MA Public Administration.
  • MA Public Administration eligible candidates can fill and submit the entrance exam application form which is released by the universities.
  • The entrance test is conducted on a pre-notified date and time and the candidates are tested for their knowledge of subjects related to administration. 
  • The most common subjects are Indian Constitution, Government and politics of India, theories and concepts of public administration along with the current affairs and general knowledge.
admission process?

MA Public Administration Eligibility

In almost all educational institutions, the educational qualification for MA Public Administration remains the same.

  • The candidates must have completed a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 50 percent aggregate marks. 
  • The age limit and other criteria for admission varies from college to college. 

MA Public Administration Entrance Exams

Some of the MA entrance exams are:

  • IPU CET 2023 : This is a national level test, conducted in the month of May for postgraduate admission to colleges of Indraprastha University
  • JMI 2023: This is a national level test, conducted for postgraduate admission to colleges of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
  • AMU 2023: This is a national level test, conducted for postgraduate admission to colleges of Aligarh Muslim University
  • PET 2023: This test is conducted for admission to PG programs in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Exam name Registration date Exam date
PUBDET To be Announced To be Announced
APU UG NET To be Announced To be Announced
TS EAMCET To be Announced To be Announced

How To Prepare For MA Public Administration Entrance Exam?

  • MA Public Administration exams usually consist of sections like Current Affairs, Indian Constitution, Government and politics of India. 
  • For scoring in current affairs, reading the newspaper daily would help you prepare for this section in the best way.
  • The habit of reading the newspaper daily will also help you at the time of personal interview and group discussions. 

Some of the main topics that should be covered by the candidates are :

  • History of indian administration, Important PSUs. 
  • National and state political parties. 
  • Cold war history. 
  •  International organizations like IMF, World Bank, United Nations Organisation-Bodies, Function and their HQs. 
  • GST+NITI Aayog- governing structure and all Constitutional Bodies. 
  • Paradigm Shifts in Public Administration. 

Candidates should solve previous years’ papers to get a knack of paper pattern.Candidates while solving previous years’ papers solve them in a timed manner so that they get a practice to solve it in time

How to get admission in the top MA Public Administration College?

Keep the following things in mind to get an admission in a good MA college:

  • Since many colleges take admission on the basis of marks obtained in the graduation, hence candidates should perform exceptionally well during their graduation, so that it becomes easier to clear the cut off list. 
  • Though the minimum marks required is 50%, the cutoff generally ranges between 75% - 85%, depending on the university. 
  • For colleges that take entrance tests, candidates should develop a habit of reading newspapers in order to strengthen their general knowledge. 
  • Try to solve as many questions as you can in the entrance exam. A candidate should aim to attempt at least 90% correct questions. 
  • Be updated with the deadlines of filling the application forms through websites, newspapers and magazines. 
  • Practice previous years papers to improve your time management skills at the time of entrance exams. 

MA Public Administration Syllabus

The MA Public Administration course covers all the topics related to the functioning of government and public organisations. 

A detailed MA Public Administration syllabus is mentioned below:

First Year  Second Year
Administrative theory Citizen and administration
Administrative behavior CoMA.P.A.rative public administration
Fundamentals of research Democratic decentralization and local administration
Administrative law Development administration
Indian administrative system Research writing
Dissertation Dissertation – 2
Public financial administration International organization and administration
Research methods and design Specialization subjects
Public personnel administration
Role of ICT in governance
Research Methodologies and Methods
India: Democracy and Development
Specialization subjects

MA Public Administration : Important Books

Some of the most helpful books for this course are:

Book Author
Public Budgeting Systems Robert D. Less
Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations Robert B. Denhardt
Politics of the Administrative Process Donald F. Kettl
The Administrative Threat (Encounter Intelligence) Philip Hamburger
Administrative Thinkers Prasad and Prasad

MA Public Administration Colleges in India

Some of the top MA Public Administration colleges in India are described in the table below:

College Name City Average Annual Fees
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Varanasi INR 4,620
Presidency College  Chennai INR 3,323
Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi INR 10,000
Madras Christian College  Chennai  INR 56,914
Sri Krishna Arts and Science College   Coimbatore  INR 8,000
DAV College   Chandigarh INR 38,288
Annamalai University Chidambaram INR 5,585
Amity University  Noida INR 1,00,000
SS Jain Subodh PG college  Jaipur INR 8,800

Source : College Websites 

College Comparison

MA Public Administration is offered by many top colleges in our country. Here we have compared three of the renowned colleges offering MA in Public ADelete Rowsdministration. 

Parameters BHU Presidency College  Madras Christian College 
Overview Banaras Hindu University, better known as BHU, is one of the oldest educational institutions in India. Currently, it is regarded as one of the largest residential deemed universities in Asia. It provides a plethora of courses including, MBBS, MBA, BA, MA, BSc, MSc, among others.  Presidency College is an autonomous college which is currently one of the top ten colleges in India. Established way back in 1840, it is one of the oldest colleges in India. It provides courses mainly in the field of arts, science and law.  Madras Christian College is also one of the oldest colleges in India. It is an autonomous college affiliated to the University of Madras. It is a NAAC grade A accredited institution. It provides a plethora of courses in fields of Science, Arts and Social Work. 
Location Varanasi Chennai  Chennai 
Admission Process Entrance Based (BHU PET)  On the basis of merit, followed by personal interview Merit based (only those candidates who passed BA from this college are eligible to apply) 
Average Annual Fees  INR 4,620 INR 3,323 INR 56,940
Average Placement Package  INR 4,50,000 INR 5,30,000 INR 3,00,000
Top Recruiters  Infosys, Coal India, ICICI Bank, Godrej, Pioneer TCS, Infosys, Deloitte  Wipro, Accenture, Aditya Birla Group

MA Public Administration Distance Learning

A large number of students every year go ahead with an MA Public Administration through distance education. In this route, the candidates are not required to attend the classes on a regular basis. Rather, they just need to apply for the course by filling an application form and study at their home, as per their convenience.

At the end of each academic year, the students can appear in the annual examination. The distance education route is most suitable for those who are working professionals, or those who can take admission in as a regular student due to financial reasons.

Some of the colleges that offers distance education in MA Public Administration are:

Institute Name Location Average Annual Fees Average Placement Package 
Indira Gandhi National Open University   New Delhi  INR 6000 to INR 8000 INR 2,50,000-4,00,000
Nalanda Open University  Patna, Bihar INR 7200 INR 3,00,000
Uttarakhand Open University   Nainital, Uttarakhand INR 3675 INR 2,00,000
Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon open university   Prayagraj, U.P. INR 3700 INR 3,35,000
Yashwantrao Chavan Open University   Nashik, Maharashtra INR 4200 INR 2,50,000
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Source: College Websites 

Course Comparison

MA Public Administration vs MBA

MA is Masters of Arts in Public Administration and MBA is Masters of Business Administration. Both these courses have their own specializations and subjects. Below are the major points of difference in them:

Parameters MA Public Administration MBA
Full Form Masters of Arts in Public Administration  Master of Business Administration
Domain Arts Business Administration
Objective It is more concerned with public affairs. It teaches its students how to master government administration and public services.  It is more focused on developing business and technical knowledge among students. It teaches its students how to administer your business properly. 
Examination type Semester Semester/Trimester
Admission process Merit or Entrance exam Entrance Exam
Average Annual Fees  INR 20,000 INR 8,00,000
Average Placement Package  INR 4-7 Lakhs INR 10-15 Lakhs
Job Opportunities Law enforcement administrator, Emergency management director, Administrative services manager, Community development director, City manager Marketing manager, Financial manager, Human resources manager, Nonprofit director, Operations manager

Read more on Top MBA Colleges in India 

MA Public Administration VS MBA?

Source : College Websites 

MA Public Administration Job Profiles and Career Prospects

Public administration has quickly grown prominence in India and the scope of the administration is increasing day by day. 

Some of the job options are mentioned below:

Job Position Job Description Average Annual Salary
Budget analyst To ensures the proper management of financial and other resources INR 6,50,000
Tax Examiner To regulate and control financial mismanagement and ensure all taxes are collected as per the law INR 6,00,000
Administrative officer To provide administrative support to an organization including inventory management, organizing company records, roster scheduling, budget and office reporting, invoicing and customer service. INR 3,50,000
Consultant To offer advice and expertise to organizations to help them improve their business performance in terms of operations, profitability, management, structure and strategy INR 6,00,000-7,00,000
Salary Trend Graph

MA Public Administration Future Scope

  • After completing the MA in Public Administration degree, those interested in higher education are left with a variety of options. Traditionally, if a student completes the MA in Public Administration degree, he/she can pursue a PhD course as part of higher education.
  • The study of administration as a whole has close proximity to the study of management, hence, the students can also take up higher education in the field of management after completing the postgraduate degree.
  • The candidates can further apply for the state public services or UPSC. One of the most sought after job profiles in India, civil services is called the steel frame of India. The work of a civil servant is most suitable for a public administration graduate as they are trained in the work of administration.

Ph.D. Public Administration: Ph.D. Public Administration or Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration is a Doctorate Level Public Administration course. The minimum duration of the course is three years and that of maximum is five years. The final stage of the course is the submission of ‘thesis’ prepared during the course.

M.Phil Public Administration: M.Phil. in Public Administration is a 2 year Post-Graduate academic research course in the domain of Public administration, eligibility to which is having a master’s degree with minimum 55% marks in related field from any recognized central or state/private/deemed university.

MA Public Administration FAQs

Ques. Is there any MA in Public Administration entrance exams conducted in India?

Ans. Yes, there are a few entrance exams conducted for admission to the MA.P.A. course. For eg, BU PET, JMI entrance test etc are university-level tests for admission to MA.P.A. courses.

Ques. What is the educational qualification required for admission to the Masters of Public Administration course?

Ans. For admission to the MA in Public Administration course, the candidate must be a graduate in any discipline, from a UGC recognized university with an aggregate 50% in graduation.

Ques. Can I pursue an MA in Public Administration while working in a full-time job?

Ans. Yes, the MA. Public Administration course can be completed while working in a full-time job. There are several distance education options available for those who want to study Master of Public Administration while working.

Ques. What jobs can I get with a degree in Masters in Public Administration?

Ans. There are several job opportunities after completing MA in Public Administration. Some of the job roles include Administrative officer, Manager, Political scientist, Public relation officer, Budget analyst, teacher, professor etc.

Ques. What is the admission procedure for MA Public Administration?

Ans. Few colleges admits the candidates on the basis of merit whereas few colleges conducts their own entrance tests. Candidates should check the college website to learn about a particular college’s admission process.

Ques. What is the scope of MA in Public Administration?

Ans. This course has the following scope:

Civil Service

Education Administrators

Administrative Services Managers

Public Administration Consultant

Executive Director

Director of Development

Program Analyst

Program Director

Ques. What are some top MA (Public Administration) college in India?

Ans. Some of the top MA (Public Administration) colleges in India are: Presidency College, Chennai, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Tumkur University, Tumkur, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, Nizam College, Hyderabad, Nalanda Open University, Patna

Ques. Can I apply for UGC NET after completing a Masters of Public Administration?

Ans. Yes. After completing MA.P.A. degree by at least 55 per cent one may appear in the UGC NET examination.

Master of Arts [MA] (Public Administration) : 4 answered questions

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Ques. How are the placements for MPP in NLSIU?

● Top Answer By Rudra Roy on 04 Oct 21

Ans. One of my friends recently graduated from NLSIU. Here is his insight on the placements at NLSIU.  There is no placement cell in the institute. Students get placed through a student-led body called RCC (recruitment coordination committee). An average of 30 percent of students get placed. Around 50 percent don’t have a proper job secured during graduation.  The institute has its reputation however the course and curriculum provided by the institute don’t prepare you for any corporate job. Getting into the top company is only possible if you are in the top 5 of a strength of 70 people in the class. You will have a chance of getting into the big four, i.e. EY, KPMG, Deloitte, etc. as policy professionals. But don’t expect to get into IGOs like the World Bank or UN. According to the recent placement highlights at NLSIU, the L&L Partners made 12 placement offers. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Trilega made 7 placement offers while Cyril Amarchand made 1 placement offer. Companies like ICICI Bank, Societe Generale, Khaitan, AZB & Partners made less than 5 offers each. In 2020, the highest CTC offered at NLSIU was 18 LPA.  The employment space for MPP professionals is opening up with time and if you have the required skills you will have decent opportunities along the line. But you will need to approach top companies through platforms such as LinkedIn. Read more
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Ques. What are the job prospects and probable salary for a student graduating in a master of public policy from NLSIU?

● Top Answer By Aditi Bhattacharjee on 03 May 23

Ans. A Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is a highly respected degree that can open up various career opportunities in the public and private sectors. Here's some information on the job prospects and probable salary for a student graduating in an MPP from NLSIU: Job prospects: Public sector: Graduates with an MPP from NLSIU can pursue a career in the public sector, such as working for government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and think tanks. Job roles can include policy analyst, program manager, research associate, and consultant. Private sector: Graduates with an MPP can also work in the private sector, such as consulting firms, research firms, and multinational corporations. Job roles can include policy consultant, research analyst, and strategy consultant. Academia: Some graduates with an MPP from NLSIU may also choose to pursue a career in academia, either by teaching or by conducting research in public policy. Probable salary: Public sector: The salary for graduates working in the public sector can vary depending on the job role, level of experience, and location. However, the starting salary for entry-level positions in the public sector can range from 5-8 LPA (lakhs per annum), and can go up to 12-15 LPA for mid-level positions. Private sector: The salary for graduates working in the private sector can vary widely depending on the industry, job role, and company. However, the starting salary for entry-level positions in the private sector can range from 6-10 LPA and can go up to 15-20 LPA for mid-level positions. Academia: The salary for graduates working in academia can also vary depending on the level of experience and the institution. However, the starting salary for entry-level positions in academia can range from 6-8 LPA and can go up to 10-12 LPA for mid-level positions. In conclusion, a Master of Public Policy from NLSIU can open up various career opportunities in the public and private sectors, as well as academia. The salary for graduates can vary depending on the job role, level of experience, and industry, but the starting salary for entry-level positions can range from 5-10 LPA.Read more
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Ques. Does IGNOU notes on BA and MA public administration help for optional public administration in the UPSC?

● Top Answer By Chetan on 02 Nov 22

Ans. Yes, IGNOU notes on BA and MA public administration are surely helpful for optional public h administration in the UPSC. This is because IGNOU study material is prepared by experienced professionals. They are PhD degree holders. There are many candidates who have passed UPSC alongside pursuing a PG course from IGNOU. They give the rightful credit to IGNOU for passing the UPSC. Times of India has interviewed many such candidates of IGNOU who have claimed the study material from the university to be their best friend. IGNOUs study material has been designed to facilitate self study. This is why it is easier than other course material. Also, the quality is top notch. It is available at your study centre for a fairly low price.Read more
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Ques. What would be a better option between Madras University and IGNOU for distance education for a master’s of public administration?

● Top Answer By Rangoli Sinha on 13 Jul 22

Ans. IGNOU will be better for pursuing a distance master’s in Public Administration. It is one of the best universities for distance education in the country. The course content is excellent and the notes are well-structured.  IGNOU course materials can help in civil service examination preparations as well.  Both Madras University and IGNOU are good options for pursuing a master’s in Public Administration. But if you have to choose one, select IGNOU.Read more
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Master of Arts [MA] (Public Administration) Colleges IN INDIA

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Amity University
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
1.44 L first year fees
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1 L first year fees
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7.2 K first year fees
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5.16 K first year fees
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Panjab University - [PU]
Chandigarh, Chandigarh
12.47 K first year fees
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6.9 K first year fees
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56.91 K Total fees
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Presidency College
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
865 first year fees
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