IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) Syllabus 2026: Year-wise Subjects, Credits and Study Blocks

Part of IGNOU Syllabus: IGNOU Syllabus 2026: Programme-wise Course Structure

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) syllabus structure: 2 years, 64 credits

The IGNOU MA Public Administration programme requires 64 credits for completion, spread across two years. Each year carries 32 credits. The minimum duration to complete the programme is two years, but learners have up to four years to finish their studies. The programme fee for the full minimum duration is Rs. 16,400, based on the July 2026 prospectus, which is Rs. 8,200 per year.

The first year of the IGNOU MA Public Administration syllabus includes four compulsory courses: MPA 11 State, Society and Public Administration, MPA 12 Administrative Theory, MPA 13 Public Systems Management, and MPA 14 Human Resource Management. Each of these courses is worth 8 credits, totalling 32 credits for the first year. The second year includes two compulsory core courses, MPA 15 Public Policy and Analysis and MPA 16 Decentralisation and Local Governance, each worth 8 credits. Learners then choose optional courses from a list that includes MPA 17 Electronic Governance (4 credits), MPA 18 Disaster Management (4 credits), MSO2 Research Methodologies and Methods (8 credits), MPS 3 India: Democracy and Development (8 credits), and MPAP 2 Project Work (8 credits). Learners who opt for Project Work must write a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words.

MA Public Administration (MPA) structure at a glance

Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 1st year subjects: State, Society and Public Administration, Administrative Theory

The first year of the IGNOU Master of Arts (Public Administration) programme covers foundational concepts in public administration. Learners study four core courses, each carrying 8 credits, for a total of 32 credits in the first year. These courses include MPA 11 State, Society and Public Administration, which introduces the relationship between the state, society, and public administration, and MPA 12 Administrative Theory, which explores various theories and models of administration.

MPA 13 Public Systems Management focuses on the management of public systems, while MPA 14 Human Resource Management addresses the principles and practices of managing human resources within public organisations. All four courses are compulsory for the first year of the 64-credit programme.

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 1st year: courses and credits

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 2nd year subjects: Public Policy and Analysis

The IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 2nd year subjects include MPA 15 Public Policy and Analysis and MPA 16 Decentralisation and Local Governance. Both are core courses, each carrying 8 credits.

The 2nd year focuses on advanced concepts in public administration. MPA 15 Public Policy and Analysis covers the theoretical frameworks and practical application of public policy. MPA 16 Decentralisation and Local Governance builds on these foundations, exploring how policy is implemented at local levels. Students must complete assignments (TMA) for these courses before appearing for the term-end examination (TEE).

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 2nd year: courses and credits

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 2nd year subjects: Electronic Governance, Disaster Management

The second year of the IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) programme focuses on specific areas within public administration, building on foundational knowledge. Learners choose from a selection of elective courses, each carrying 4 or 8 credits. For example, MPA 17 Electronic Governance and MPA 18 Disaster Management are both 4-credit elective courses offered in the second year.

The heaviest course in the second year is MPAP 2 Project Work, which carries 8 credits and requires a significant practical application of learning. Other 8-credit electives include MSO2 Research Methodologies and Methods and MPS 3 India: Democracy and Development.

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) 2nd year: courses and credits

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) assessment: assignments, term-end exams and pass marks

The IGNOU MA Public Administration programme assesses learners through compulsory assignments and term-end examinations. Assignment responses must be written before taking the Term-End Examination. Learners submit Tutor Marked Assignments to the Coordinator of their Learner Support Centre. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the IGNOU website. A failed assignment must be re-submitted; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

Term-end examinations occur twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across the country and abroad. These examinations have two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course. For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle. Learners may write the exam in Hindi even if registered in the English medium, except for language programmes. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post.

The IGNOU MA Public Administration programme includes an optional Project Work, MPAP 2, which carries 8 credits. Learners who opt for Project Work must write a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words. The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for master’s degrees upon request. Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars cannot. Bachelor’s and Master’s students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their grade, with one opportunity only. An early declaration of results costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, available only with proof of selection for a post or further studies.

Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.

IGNOU MA Public Administration (MPA) study material: printed blocks and eGyanKosh

Learners receive printed self-instructional study material for the IGNOU MA Public Administration programme. This material is provided as a print book or an e-book. If a learner chooses the soft copy option instead of printed material, a 15% discount applies to the programme fee.

The eGyanKosh repository also hosts self-learning material. This platform contains material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes. Counselling sessions are held says the schedule set by the Learner Support Centre. Technology-enabled support is available through Gyan Darshan, Gyan Vani, Swayam Prabha, and web-based resources. One credit in the IGNOU system represents 30 hours of learner study.

Study support: IGNOU study material status; IGNOU previous year question papers and IGNOU regional and study centres.

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

• IGNOU Common Prospectus July 2026

Common IGNOU Questions