STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PRELIMS
LIST OF KEY BOOKS
Books which need to be done very well and thoroughly (cover to cover)
- Laxmikanth: Public Administration*
- Prasad and Prasad: Administrative Thinkers*
- Rajni Goyal and R.K. Arora: Indian Administration*
- DD Basu: Indian Polity
* These three books are the lifeline for Public Administration (prelims) preparation
Books which need to be done for specific topics
- Mohit Bhattacharya: New Horizons
- Nicholas Henry: Public Administration
- Stephen Robbins: Public Administration
- Fadia & Fadia: Administrative Theories and Concepts (only the unit “Introduction” excluding chapters 3, 8, 18 and 19 from it)
- Bare Act by PM Bakshi (Articles relevant to public administration only)
STRATEGY FOR PREPARATION
Given below are the key areas (according to the syllabus) in each book which have to be stressed upon.
1. INTRODUCTION:
In this chapter, concepts should be strengthened. Factual knowledge in Laxmikanth is enough; one should not try to gather facts from other books. Pay special attention to name of authors and books as 2-3 questions every year are expected from this particular area.
Laxmikanth
Fadia & Fadia
Mohit Bhattacharya (only Chapter “Introduction”)
Nicholas Henry
(Just the "evolution of the discipline" topic, with special attention to six paradigms).
2. BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES:
From this chapter, 80% of the questions asked are concept based. One should do a lot of practice of sample papers especially for this chapter.
Laxmikanth
Fadia and Fadia
Mohit Bhattacharya
(only Matrix Organisation from chapter on “Planning, Organisation and Structural Concepts”)
3. THEORIES OF ADMINISTRATION:
One of the most important chapters for Prelims. Students should not get confused between the concepts of various theorists. Making a chart could help.
Laxmikanth
Prasad and Prasad
Mohit Bhattacharya
(only Chapters “Approaches, Principles and Theories”, “Bureaucratic Theory”, “Behavioral and Systems Approaches”
Nicholas Henry (just for the "systems theory" topic)
4. ADMINISTRATIVE BEHAVIOUR:
Generally students do only Laxmikanth for this chapter. But now-a-days, direct questions are being asked from Stephen Robbins. Pay special attention to this.
Laxmikanth
Prasad and Prasad
Mohit Bhattacharya
(only Chapters “Administrative Process- Decision Making”, “Communication, Control, Motivation, Leadership”)
Stephen Robbins (Chapters on Motivation, Leadership only)
5. ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTROL:
Generally factual questions are asked from this topic.
Laxmikanth
Rajni Goyal & R.K. Arora
Chapter Nos. 23 and 24 of Rajni Goyal is very important. Direct questions are asked from these chapters.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS:
Though you get a no. of questions from this chapter, you can safely de-emphasize it. It is better to put your efforts in other chapters which are more paying and where you can expect good questions.
Laxmikanth
(Table 6.3 in Laxmikanth should be paid special attention)
7. PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION:
Laxmikanth
Fadia and Fadia
8. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION:
Differences between all the budgets should be clear.
Laxmikanth
Nicholas Henry
(for different types of Budgets. 2-3 questions are asked from this)
Fadia and Fadia
(chapter "Budgetary process in India")
9. UNION GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION IN INDIA:
One should also keep the track of latest ARC reports.
Laxmikanth
Rajni Goyal must be done thoroughly. Generally Chapter 3 and Chapter 26 (Page Nos. 572-582) are overlooked by the students, but these are quite important.
DD Basu
PM Bakshi
Fadia and Fadia
(Page Nos. 268 to 290 ("Ministers and Departments"). 2-3 questions are generally asked from this.
10. CIVIL SERVICE IN INDIA:
Latest reports like of 6th Pay Commission, Finance Commission etc. should be done. Now-a-days a lot of questions are being asked from these reports.
Laxmikanth
Rajni Goyal
PM Bakshi
11. STATE AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION:
Laxmikanth
Rajni Goyal
PM Bakshi
D.D. Basu
12. LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
Articles should be thoroughly memorized as direct questions are asked. Provision of 11th and 12th Schedule of the Constitution should be given a look.
Laxmikanth
Rajni Goyal
DD Basu
PM Bakshi
After finishing every chapter, students could go through "A concise dictionary of Public Administration" by Vikram Singh. This will enable them to memorize important facts. Lastly, one should be regular with the tests; only then one is able to recollect important points during the examination.
All the very best!!
Enjoy Studying
 
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