Public Administration Optional Strategy - By Sunil Gupta, Director, Inspirations IAS Academy

Q. Who should choose Public Administration as an optional? How to assess oneself before choosing it? What are the criteria for choosing it as an optional?

Ans: An optional paper selection should be based primarily upon aspirant’s interest to the subject, the contribution of the subject in other areas of an integrated preparation for civil services like General Studies, Essay and Interview and availability of guidance like study material, mentorship and dedicated pre-selection training/ coaching institution.

Q. What is the success ratio of Public Administration optional in UPSC CSE? On an average, how many candidates appear with this subject?

Ans: As per the 68th Report of the UPSC, 1506 aspirants appeared for the Main written examination with Public Administration as an optional paper and finally, 160 aspirants got final selection. The success rate is 10.6% (the second highest rate among optionals).

Q. Is it a safe optional?

Ans: Public Administration is highly safe optional because of its consistent and expected trend set up. It is scoring in nature. Anju and Ankita Chaudhary in 2018 got 333 marks and 314 marks respectively in Public Administration optional. No academic background is required, so it is beginner- friendly. The limited syllabus made this subject popular and manageable.

Q. What are the things that need to be kept in mind while preparing for Public Administration? What is the ideal approach to prepare this subject?

Ans: For the beginners, it is advised to have the basic readings of NCERTs of Polity/ Civics followed by some standard texts. The systematic writing practice based upon previous years’ questions is the competitive edge for the aspirants who want to excel and fetch good score. The guidance of a good mentor can ease the academic preparation through systematic notes and regular answer writing sessions.

Q. Are study materials available for this subject?

Ans: Study materials are available in professional coaching institutions. However, aspirants can compile the traditional materials with standard books and contemporary materials from ‘Indian Journal of Public Administration’ published by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA).

Q. Is quality guidance available for it?

Ans: Quality guidance is available for Public Administration in various professional coaching institutions. While selecting an institution, aspirants are advised to evaluate the commitment level of the dedicated team of the institution, competent mentorship of the faculty, disciplined schedule for execution of the courses, availability of meticulously designed test series and scope of personal counselling with the faculty/ team.

Q. Which books can be referred to for Public Administration optional?

Ans: The academic sources should be classified into two parts: Basic and Reference. For Public Administration, the basic books are:

• Administrative Thinkers - by Prasad & Prasad
• The Horizon of Public Administration – by Mohit Bhattacharya
• Indian Public Administration - by Goel & Arora
• Public Administration & Public Affairs - by Nicolas Henry
• Indian Administration - by Fadia & Fadia
• For reference, the aspirant should supplement information from Journal of IIPA, PIB sites and online administrative encyclopaedia.

Q. How to start preparation?

Ans. It is advised for beginners to start preparation with some basic readings of NCERTs on Civics/ Polity and move to Public Administration basic books. Make the systematic notes based upon syllabus and update them. Join the test series and make arrangement for disciplined practice. If, possible, take help from professional training institutions in this regard.

Q. What is the level of competition in this subject?

Ans:The success ratio (10.6 %) justifies the moderate level of competition with Public Administration as an optional paper.

Q. Will it help in General Studies/ Essay/Interview also?

Ans: Definitely, contribution of Public Administration in Main Examination is illustrated below:

• GS-2 (Polity & Governance - 180 Marks)
• GS-3 (Disaster Management - 60 Marks)
• GS-3 (Security Issues - 40 Marks)
• GS-4 (Case Study in Ethics - 120 Marks)

It also significantly helps candidates in Essay and Interview.