PhD in Public Administration Course, Fee, Syllabus, Entrance Exams, Jobs, Salary 2023

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Sounak Banerjee

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PhD in Public Administration or Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration is a 3 to 5 years spanned doctoral categorical course in India. For regular scholars, this span is around 3 years and for part-time scholars, this span ranges around 5 years.

Check: PhD Course Details

The minimum eligibility criteria for taking PhD Public Administration is having an allied arts PG degree. The PhD aspirants should have a minimum of 55% in the PG degree from any recognizable Indian institution with good academic experience if required.

Check Top PhD in Public Administration Colleges in India.

Master degree holders can get admission to PhD in Public Administration courses after appearing in any national or institute level entrance exams, counselling or interviews as deemed valid by the affiliated university.

Some institutions prefer to relax the minimum eligibility criteria after taking academic performances and experiences of the PhD aspirants into consideration. NET and GATE are the common national level entrances for this doctoral degree in Public Administration.

top colleges


The total average fee charged by colleges or universities for PhD in Public Administration ranges from INR 10,000 to 2 Lakhs depending upon the college and university.

Maximum salary earned after doing the PhD in Public Administration is around INR 8 Lakhs Per Annum and the minimum package offered will be around 4 Lakhs Per Annum.

Top recruiting areas in which PhD in Public Administration degree holders find employment include Indian Civil Services, Education Institutions, Public Works, Tribal Administration, Revenue department, Corporate Management, etc. 

PhD in Public Administration Course Highlights

Course Name PhD Public Administration
Course Level Doctoral Degree
Full-Form Doctorate of Philosophy
Duration 1 to 3 years for regular Ph.D. scholars. Up to 5 years for the part time scholars.
Examination type Year wise course
Eligibility Allied Post Graduation with around 55 % from any recognizable Indian institution as made valid by the admitting university
Admission Process Merit-based and Entrance-based (Institute and national level entrances)
Course Fee INR 10,000 to 2 Lakhs
Average Salary INR 4 to 8 LPA 
Top Recruiting Companies APCO Worldwide Limited, Cognizant, IBM, GCS, Gail India, Logica Pvt. Ltd., Ramboll-IMI Soft Private Limited, etc.
Top Recruiting arenas Education institutions, Public Works, Corporate Management, Tribal Administration, Revenue department, Indian Civil Services, etc.
Job Positions Social Worker, Corporate Manager, Teacher, Professor, Customs Inspector, Revenue Inspector, Consultant, Administrative Officer, etc.

PhD in Public Administration: What is it About?

  • The PhD in Public Administration course is all about administration. The candidates who wish to gain expertise in public administration and its related fields can pursue this course.
  • The course imparts necessary skills to the scholars required for proper administration of people, towards the betterment of the society.
  • This doctoral program is designed to include subjects like Research Methodology and Computer Applications, Public Systems Governance, Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives, and Public Administration: Theoretical Perspectives in addition with some practical knowledge.
  • The course imparts theoretical as well as practical knowledge about the subject. It is well known for providing day to day exposure to the students.
  • Critical thinking, decision making and stress handling are the key attributes of this course. 

Why study PhD in Public Administration?

Some underlying reasons for one to choose PhD in Public Administration include:

  • One who aspires to administer could choose this doctoral course so that they can use their skills for helping and guiding other people.
  • having a doctoral degree increases the chances of getting paid more than INR 6 Lakhs Per Annum depending upon the exposure you have.
  • During and post this doctoral degree, one has a wide opportunity to perform collaborative research with international researchers across the globe.
  • Many master degree holders in many of the allied disciplines can take up this doctoral degree in Public Administration. For instance, one who has a master in Political Science can take up a PhD in Public Administration.
  • Pursuing doctoral level degrees makes one eligible to work as a Professor in any government and non-government college or university.

PhD in Public Administration Admission Process

The top most awarded degree of PhD in Public Administration admits candidates on the merit-based or entrance-based or entrance-based with interview depending upon the regulations mandated by the affiliated University.


admission process

Merit-based Admission

  • Merit-based admission method admits PhD aspirants into the Public Administration program on the basis of the PG CGPA or Percentage and score of 10+2 examination/10th examination.
  • Prior work experience may be required for admission relaxations.
  • A personal interview may also be required.

Entrance-based Admission

  • Entrance-based admission method admits PhD aspirants into the Public Administration program on the basis of entrance score and minimum eligibility criteria towards the PhD admission.
  • The entrance exams are conducted at the national or Institution level depending upon the opted PhD offering institution.
  • Prior work experience might be needed for admission relaxations.
  • A personal interview may also be required

PhD in Public Administration Eligibility

  • Candidates who wish to get admitted into PhD Public Administration degree should have secured a least of 55 percentage in PG/UG from any recognized Indian institution.
  • Central universities and other popular arts universities/institutions might prefer around 80% as the minimum eligible marks in PG and UG degrees.
  • Prior experience might impart you a relaxation in the admission criteria in some institutions.
  • Interview is conducted for the students who have qualified the entrance exam. 

PhD in Public Administration Entrance Exams

There are several entrance exams which are conducted in order to shortlist candidates for admission into PhD in Public Administration. Some of the most popular exams are listed below.

Entrance Exam Exam Dates
IIT JAM Check Here
VITMEE Check Here
UGC NET To be Announced

How to prepare for a PhD in Public Administration entrance exam?

Initial step for figuring out the strategic plan for cracking any entrance exam is to know the exam syllabus. The common sections included in the entrance exams admitting PhD in Public Administration candidates are shown below.

One can refer to the points given below to excel in any entrance exam:

  • Make a proper and strategic plan that suits your daily hours of study.
  • Master the English language and communication section by going through syllabus for ICSE or CBSE to be aware of the tough questions.
  • Numerical part should be studied along with some shortcuts for easing complex multiplication operations in the exam.
  • Reasoning parts have many sub-sections in it. Be aware of all of them. 
  • History and important political happenings across the country should be well versed. This could come as static GK in some entrances.
  • Keep track of all the important dates regarding the entrance exams.

How to get admitted to a good PhD in Public Administration college?

  • Know the top ranked institution all over India on the basis of any ranking agency that you prefer. NIRF is the most common ranking agency.
  • Check whether the institutions offer merit or entrance based admission.
  • If merit is accepted, choose the institution based on your PG percentage.
  • If the admission is entrance based then perform well in the respective entrance exam. Be aware of the syllabus and the exam pattern.
  • Allocate separate time for mocks
  • Once done with the exam, start preparing for the personal interview round.

Check Top M.Phil/PhD in Arts colleges in India

PhD in Public Administration Top Colleges

Over 200 institutions offer PhD in Public Administration across the country. Some of the top colleges offering this course are mentioned below:

NIRF Ranking 2020 College/University Name City Average Annual Fees (in INR) Average Salary Offered (in INR)
3 Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi 8,000 8 LPA 
19 Savitribai Phule Pune University-[SPPU] Pune 20,000 6.5 LPA 
55 Banasthali Vidyapith University Jaipur 1.45 Lakhs 5 LPA 
76 Maharshi Dayanand University- [MDU] Rohtak 9,000 6 LPA 
101-150 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) Aurangabad 10,000 4 LPA 
101-150 Annamalai University Chidambaram 25,000 6 LPA 
- Adamas University Kolkata 82,000 -
101-150 Anna Adarsh College for Women Chennai 35,000 4 LPA 

PhD in Public Administration College Comparison

Comparison pertaining to the top most colleges offering PhD under the aegis of Public Administration in India are given below.

Parameters Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Presidency College Savitribai Phule Pune University-[SPPU]
Overview BHU or Banaras Hindu University is one of the top universities in India. It is a government central university offering Science, Arts, and Management categorical courses. Presidency college is located in chennai. It is a private autonomous college offering Arts, Commerce, and Computer categorical courses. Savitribai Phule Pune University is a governmental state university offering Education, Arts, Commerce, and Management categorical courses.
NIRF Rank 3 5 19
Location Varanasi Chennai Pune
Eligibility Allied Master degree with at least 55%  Allied Master degree with at least 55% Allied Master degree with at least 50% 
Admission Process Entrance-based Merit-based Entrance-based
Average Fees in INR 8,368 50,000 20,000
Average Package Offered in INR 10 LPA  7 LPA 6.5 LPA 
Top Recruiting companies DHL, Intel, Reliance, IBM, Amazon, etc. Deloitte, TCS, KPMG, EY, Infosys, etc. DRDO, ISRO, Trilogy, Novartis, Keysight Technologies, etc.
Average Annual fee and Average CTC offered by Top College

PhD in Public Administration Syllabus

The syllabus for PhD in Public Administration course is mentioned below.

Course I - Research Methodology and Computer Applications Course II - Public Systems Governance
Scientific Approach to Research Introduction
Methods of Data Collection Institutional Framework for Fighting Corruption
Research Design Governance
Analysis of Data and use of Computers Regulatory Governance
Report Writing Emerging Trends
Course III - Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives Course IV - Public Administration: Theoretical Perspectives
Introduction Introduction
Models of Public Policy Approaches
Approaches to Public Policy Analysis Modern Approaches
Constraints on Public Policy Contemporary Debates
Policy Implementation and Evaluation Emerging Trends
Course V – Field Work -

PhD in Public Administration Books

Some of the books which one may be required to read while pursuing the course are given below:

Name of the book Author
Computer Applications in the Social Sciences Jr. Ronal E. Anderson and Brent Edward E
Research Methodology- Concepts and Cases Neena Sondhi and Chawla Deepak
Public Administration Research Methods- Tools for Evaluation and Evidence based practices Gerber Eller
Statistical Methods Gupta S P
Public Management and Governance Second Edition Elke Löffler, eds., Bovaird, and Tony
Public Administration and Public Affairs Nicholas and Henry
The State of Public Administration: Issues, Challenges and Opportunity Donald Menzel

PhD in Public Administration Course Comparison

PhD in Public Administration vs PhD in Social Work

PhD in Public Administration and PhD in Social Work are two different courses with different career prospects. Some of the key differences between the two courses are mentioned below.

Parameters PhD in Public Administration PhD in Social Work
Overview This doctoral level degree is all about inculcating administrative skills in an individual. Scholars learn the very basics of administration and the rules and regulations guarding it. This doctoral degree prepares one to engage in social work. The course imparts necessary skills and knowledge about the basics of being a social activist.
Examination Type Semester wise  Semester wise 
Average Annual Fees INR 10,000 to 2 Lakhs INR 15,000 to 2 Lakhs
Duration Minimum 3 years for regular scholars Minimum 3 years for regular scholars
Eligibility Allied Post Graduates with around 55 % from any recognized Indian institution. PostGraduates with at least 50% aggregate from any recognized institution in India.
Admission Process Merit and entrance-based  Merit and entrance-based 
Top Recruiting areas Education institutions, Public Works, Corporate Management, Tribal Administration, Revenue department, Indian Civil Services, etc. NGOs, Education Institution, Governmental Child welfare, Women welfare, and Human rights departments, etc.
Job Roles Social Worker, Corporate Manager, Teacher, Professor, Customs Inspector, Revenue Inspector, Consultant, Administrative Officer, etc. CSR Representative, Community Mobilizer, Health Educator, Journalist, School and Career Counselor, Social Worker, Counselor, etc.
Average Salary INR 4 to 8 LPA INR 3 to 6 LPA

Check Top PhD in Social Work Colleges in India

phd in public administration salary vs Phd in social work salary
PhD in Public Administration Fee Vs PhD in Social Work Fee

PhD in Public Administration Job Prospects and Career Options

Post the completion of the course, the scholars get placed where there is a need for sound knowledge and skills pertaining to administration. Around 11 Lakhs Per Annum could be drawn after PhD in Public Administration.

Some of the job profiles available to such professionals are tabulated below along with their description.

Job Profile Job Description Average Salary in INR
Management Consultant He/she is consulted for improving any company in areas of Management, Productivity, and brand image 11 LPA
Social Worker They are responsible for aiding people around them. They raise voices against any injustice prevailing in the society. They organize formal meetings and listen to people regarding their problems.  4 LPA
Professor A professor is responsible towards education and training methods adopted for imparting valuable knowledge to the students. 10 LPA
Corporate Manager He takes care of the various managerial activities in an organization like sales, production, administration, overhaul, etc. 6 LPA
Administrative Officer He takes care of all the administration related activities in an organization that put forth an equilibrium and smoothness in the functioning of that organization.  4 LPA
Average Salary offered for various job profiles

PhD in Public Administration Scope

  • A PhD in Public administration comes with various jobs and career opportunities. Students preparing for Indian civil services show keen interest in pursuing this course. One primary reason being the ability of the course to teach them skills and expertise in administration related roles. 
  • Post the completion of the course one can choose to be a professor in any government or private college or university. One can even work as a corporate manager or administrative officer in any government run industry. 
  • After much expertise and skills in basic managerial roles in the organization, PhD in Public Administration professionals have chances to play executive roles in the organization. 
  • The growing interest of students in this particular course forecasts an ever increasing scope for this course in the near future.

PhD in Public Administration: FAQs

Ques. What does PhD in Public Administration stand for?

Ans. PhD in Public Administration means Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Administration.

Ques. Which are some of the top institutes offering PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Presidency college, Banasthali vidyapith are some of the top institutes offering PhD in Public Administration.

Ques. Are there any entrance exams being conducted for admission into PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. UGC NET, SET, PET, GATE, IGNOU PET, etc. are some of the popular entrance exams conducted for admission into PhD in Public Administration.

Ques. Any Integrated programs available with PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. MPhil. + PhD in Public Administration and PhD in Public Administration and Political Science.

Ques. Are the dates for admission into Phd in Public Administration degree program being postponed due to COVID!9 pandemic?

Ans. Yes, all the admission related processes have been postponed for the time being. But it will resume shortly.

Ques. What are some of the common subjects taught under PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. Research Methodology and Computer Applications, Public Systems Governance, Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives, and Public Administration: Theoretical Perspectives, etc

Ques. Which institutes offer good placement opportunities for PhD in Public Administration degree program?

Ans. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Annammlai university, Presidency college are some of the institutes which have good placement records for the course. 

Ques. What are some of the top government institutions offering PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. Savitribai Phule Pune University-[SPPU], Annamalai University, and Maharshi Dayanand University- [MDU] are some of the top government institutes offering PhD in Public Administration course.

Ques. What are some of the top private institutions offering PhD in Public Administration?

Ans. Presidency College and Banasthali Vidyapith University are two of the top private institutions offering PhD in Public Administration course.

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Ph.D. (Public Administration) Colleges IN INDIA

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