The Better and Best Way to Study Public Administration For UPSC Optional for 100% Selection
Opting for the correct optional with respect to the UPSC Mains is of prime importance because it might have a significant effect on your final rank. Few of the optional subjects are the popular one: Public Administration. But why is that so? What role does it have in the UPSC? Let’s now delve into why Public Administration is an important optional subject and how it can help an aspirant in the UPSC journey.
- Relevance to the Civil Services
It concerns the very functioning of government and the formulation and implementation of policies, as well as the dynamics of public institutions—the core of a career in IAS or other civil services. It is in this light that the subject becomes not only intellectual stimuli but extremely practical and relevant since it helps aspirants understand the very system they aspire to be part of.
- Overlap with General Studies
One of the fundamental reasons why Public Administration is so popular is that it has huge overlaps with General Studies. Concepts of Public Administration frequently pop up under various topics of the GS Paper II (Polity and Governance), GS Paper III (Economic Development, Social Justice and International Relations) and even in GS Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude). This overlap means that preparing Public Administration as an optional will also strengthen, to an extent, your preparation for the GS papers, thereby making your overall study plan more efficient.
- Scoring Potential and Simplicity
Public Administration is called a scoring subject because of its crystal-clear and well-structured syllabus. All the concepts are clear, and consistent study and revision easily make the concepts understandable. The subject does not involve too much technicality and approaches non-core students. The questions asked in UPSC Mains are fairly direct and require coherent answers, which one can master over time and with practice.
- Availability of Resources
Public Administration is another subject which should be chosen because adequate study and coaching materials are available, along with guidance in the subject. Many books and other resources are freely available, which helps the students to gather information with ease. Some of the very useful books for this paper are:
- “Public Administration” by M. Laxmikanth: This book is highly recommended. It gives a very elaborate view, hence helpful for beginners in this subject.
- “New Horizons in Public Administration” by Mohit Bhattacharya: This book gives a very critical view with proper analysis on many of the topics in the Public Administration syllabus. It is an interestingly written book.
- “Administrative Thinkers” by Prasad and Prasad: The book will introduce the contributions of various thinkers in the field of Public Administration, which are one of the important parts of the syllabus.
Some other recommended books are available on Sleepy Classes IAS Website which will help you in guiding for the subject properly
- Strategic Approach
Total quality effort will be required for Public Administration only if you must strategically attempt to cover the syllabus and write good answers in the examination. First, understand the basic concept and theories; then, apply the same to a situation and context. Don’t miss current affairs; too much integration does not help in answering the questions but in relevant areas.
You should also try to join a test series for Public Administration as an aid to getting accommodated to writing answers within the time of an exam. Regular writing practice and feedback from experts will help to improve your skills in answer writing, which are very important for scoring high in this paper.
- Online Resources and Coaching
Those who feel like hand-holding could take the help of many online platforms offering full-fledged courses on Public Administration. Websites like Vision IAS, Insights on India, etc., have a number of resources that provide notes, test series, and video lectures to sail you through your preparation. IASbaba and ForumIAS have good blog sections that could be the ideal place to get an idea of current affairs and their applicability towards Public Administration.
