The most significant aim of the government is to rule while ensuring peace and order along with the protection of the lives and properties of the citizens. The role of Public Administration is to expedite this function of the government.
Public Administration is the effective management and implementation of government policies. It includes different elements like planning, coordinating, organizing, and directing.
Role of a Public Administrator:
The role of a Public Administrator varies with the department they work with. They play an essential part in a democratic national government.
Some of their responsibilities are mentioned below:
- Managing large scale commercial activities
- Ensuring the implementation of various laws
- Budget formulation with emphasis on all sectors
- Maintaining the order and stability of the society
- Preparing guidelines and health codes for industries
- Mapping out citizen-friendly policies
- Upgrading the socio-economic situations of the state
Importance of Public Administration:
The significance of Public Administration was mentioned by Woodrow Wilson as:
"Administration is the most obvious part of government; it is government in action; it is the executive, the operative, the most visible side of government, and is of course as old as government itself."
An individual studying Public Administration should realize its impact on the country. It works as an instrument of delivering uncorrupted service to the people. It also plays a major role in the implementation of government policies and laws.
The importance of Public Administration can be understood better with the developments and socio-economic changes it brings to the nation. It promises national integrity and public safety.
The scope of Public Administration is really wide and promising since it serves as the foundation of the government.
Courses and Eligibility for Public Administration:
Now that you have learned about the significance of Public Administration, you might need to know about the different courses you can pursue to learn extensively about it.
Various levels of courses are available for a career in Public Administration. Some of those courses and their eligibility are mentioned in the table below:
| Course | Eligibility |
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Administration | Candidates should complete 10+2 with a minimum aggregate marks of 45% from a recognized board of education. |
| Master of Arts (MA) in Public Administration | Candidates should complete a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or equivalent with a minimum aggregate marks of 50% from a recognized university. |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration | Candidates should complete a Masters degree in Public Administration with a minimum aggregate marks of 60% from a recognized university. |
| Certificate in Public Administration | Candidates should complete 10+2 with a minimum aggregate marks of 45% from a recognized board of education. |
| Diploma in Public Administration | Candidates should complete 10+2 with a minimum aggregate marks of 45% from a recognized board of education. |
| Post Graduate (PG) Diploma in Public Administration | Candidates should complete a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or equivalent with a minimum aggregate marks of 50% from a recognized university. |
Major Subjects in Public Administration:
An aspirant studies many subjects in the program leading to Public Administration. Some of those relevant subjects are mentioned below:
- Comparative Public Administration
- Political Theory: An Introduction
- Foreign Business Language
- Public Administration: Concepts and Theories
- Public Personnel Administration
- Conflict Resolution and Management
- Dynamics of State Administration
- Self-Development and Interpersonal Skills
- Urban and Rural Development
- E-Governance
- Communication for Employment
- Governance and Administrative Reforms
- Civil Society & Public Action
- Administrative Thought
Public Administration Colleges In India:
Now that you have learned about the significance of Public Administration, you might want to know about the top 10 Public Administration colleges in India.
| College | Location |
| Banasthali University | Vanasthali |
| Dayanand Anglo Vedic (D.A.V) College | Kanpur |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
| Madras Christian College | Chennai |
| Mehr Chand Mahajan Dayanand Anglo Vedic (M.C.M D.A.V) College for Women | Chandigarh |
| St.Xavier's College | Mumbai |
| Christ University | Bangalore |
| Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology (KIIT) | Bhubaneswar |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | New Delhi |
| Loyola College | Chennai |
Career in Public Administration:
A career in Public Administration is ideal for someone who is intrigued by notions like social justice, good governance, centralisation and decentralization, etc.
A Public Administrator is hired in different roles. They can work at various levels of an organization with careers open in local and state governments, educational institutions, private sectors and even in non-government organizations (NGOs).
Few job roles are:
- Healthcare Administrator
- Public Relations Consultant
- Public Administration Consultant
- Fundraising Associate
- Immigration Officer
- Foreign Service Officer
- Revenue Officer
- Environment Conservation Officer
- Public Policy Analyst
Salary for Public Administrators:
The salaries of Public Administrators depend upon the job role of the candidate. Mentioned below are the different salaries earned by Public Administration employees:
| Job Role | Annual Salary (INR) |
| Healthcare Administrator | 3,00,000 |
| Revenue Officer | 5,00,000 |
| Immigration Officer | 6,00,000 |
| Public Policy Analyst | 5,00,000 |
| Public Relations Consultant | 6,00,000 |
| Foreign Service Officer | 7,50,000 |
Skills for a Public Administrator:
To work as an efficient Public Administrator, an individual must possess certain sets of attributes that will help them soar high into their career.
Some of those must-have skills that are considered as the prerequisites of a Public Administration career are:
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Administrative Skills
- Working Knowledge of Government Procedures
- Organizational Proficiency
- Ability to Influence People
- Respect Hierarchy
- Attention to Detail
- Leadership Skills
Pros and Cons of Public Administration:
The advantages of pursuing a Public Administration career are as follows:
- Being a scoring subject, Public Administration is a great foundation course for anyone aspiring to be a government servant.
- Choices to lead a variety of career paths
- Ability to work directly with people and make a difference
The cons of Public Administration are mentioned below:
- Public Administration is not a professional course
- It requires administrative attributes to be sharp
- It can be a highly competitive career
Conclusion:
If you are someone with an aptitude for social ethics, good governance, etc., a career in the field of Public Administration could be the right choice for you.
The scope of Public Administration roles are always rising and is expected to grow many folds in the future.
