
KSOU PhD in Public Administration
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About KSOU PhD in Public Administration
The PhD in Public Administration course of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is a research-based doctoral degree for individuals desiring academic and professional proficiency in public administration. The course satisfies the Minimum Standards and Procedure for the award of PhD degrees by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which considers it to be equivalent to a mainstream degree in a comparable breadth at Indian universities. The programme is designed for those who hold a Master's degree with 55% or higher marks and 50% for the reserved category. This programme intends to improve research ability, analytical skill, and contribution towards public administration with creativity.
The PhD program in public administration aims to provide an understanding of the processes of public administration, policy-making, decision-making, and governance. It is designed to prepare scholars for academic work, government service, research, and consultancy work. It provides students with incisive knowledge on political, economic, socio-cultural, and legal determinants of public policy and administration, developing the ability to respond to issues of the day.
The duration of the program is a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of six years, providing ample time to conduct in-depth research. KSOU's PhD in Public Administration stands out for quality guidance, academic excellence, and applicability to actual administrative problems, hence being the best option for candidates seeking academic, research, and professional development in public administration.
An online DBA is very valuable for Indian students. A DBA program provides real-life flexibility to allow for participation in work, family, and school without needing to move to another city or leave your employment. This will save a person commuting and housing costs while still making it possible to have an advanced degree. Additionally, the program exposes them to the university expert faculty and the global scholars from around the world, which will expand their academic and professional repertoire. Students can create a more relevant learning path for their job by balancing their learning service times and their specific research interests.
Ultimately, pursuing an online DBA can contribute to experience and digital credentials, and, therefore, benefit their employability in a market focused on technology. In addition, the program will offer academic and career support services in the achievement of their employability and entrepreneurial aspirations. Overall, the online DBA is one of the best options for India's busy professionals to improve their professional lives.
A candidate's eligibility for an online DBA in India requires a master's degree from a recognized university and a minimum of 3-5 years of professional or managerial work experience. While many universities will consider bachelor's holders with at least 5 years of relevant work experience, fully employing the path to a DBA involves being qualified through a master's degree. Furthermore, eligibility may involve acceptable academic standards, which vary from university to university. Some other documents will be required as part of the admission application, such as previous transcripts, curriculum vitae, written statement of purpose, and letter of recommendation. If the candidate is a non-native speaker of English or is applying for an international type of program, a standardized English language proficiency test may or may not be required.
Online Degree Acceptance
Online degrees earned from a government-approved university, just like a regular degree, are accepted by the top recruiters worldwide including government & private sectors.
Value of Online Degree
An online degree from a government-approved university holds similar recognition in the industry as that of a regular degree. Thus, it is equally valuable when considered for a job or higher education.
Quality of Education
The quality of education offered in online programs is of the same standard as offered in an on-campus program. Be it curriculum, faculty members, evaluation methods, practical sessions, online & on-campus programs follow similar standards of quality.
Specialization Benefits
- The duration of the KSOU PhD in Public Administration program is a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, comprising coursework and research work for the dissertation.
- Coursework includes 12 credits and 165 hours of learning in Research Methodology, Cognate Subject, Research Publication and Ethics, and Area of Specialization.
- The curriculum provides a balance among theory, practice, and innovation with the objective of cultivating good research skills and academic competence.
- The program entails preparation and submission of a comprehensive research proposal, finalised after consultations with a research guide.
- The programme is designed to be flexible, allowing professionals to pursue the degree while continuing their careers.
- The research culminates in a dissertation that is expected to make an original contribution to public administration studies.
- Development of research, higher-level analysis skills, and academic writing skills pertaining to public administration and governance is facilitated by the program.
- Applicants pursuing the program are assisted through seminars, counseling, and academic guidance during their research.
Karnataka State Open University Approved By

UGC

AICTE

NAAC A+

NCTE
Who Can Apply?
If you are considering applying for a PhD in the Public Administration program at KSOU, it is useful to know some of the eligibility requirements for the degree program. To make things easier, some of the admission requirements in a PhD program are summarized below:
- Candidates should possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent professional degree with a minimum of 55% marks or a 'B' grade in the UGC 7-point scale.
- Candidates who have submitted their M.Phil dissertations and are awaiting the viva voce will also be eligible.
- Candidates who hold an M.Phil degree obtained from Indian or foreign institutions, recognized with the approval of established agencies, may also apply.
- For SC/ST, Category-1, differently-abled persons and teachers, librarians, or physical instructors appointed before 31st March 1992. Minimum marks required for eligibility are 50% at the Master's level, provided that, on the date of application, he/she is in service.
- Calculation of eligibility for Master’s degree candidates who have been provided marks in grades or credits will be converted to a percentage.
- Candidates must meet any relaxation or additional condition prescribed by the latest decision of UGC or the Commission.
- The admission process may also include a common entrance test and interview process; however, candidates holding NET or GATE or FIP or completed their M.Phil may be exempt from the displacement.
- The candidates will have to comply with and complete KSOU's admission formalities like submission of the application, timely payment of the required fees, submission of qualifying documents for verification, and more.
Other Specializations
Specialization Wise Updated Fees 2025
| Specialization | Fees | Duration |
| Computer Science | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 years |
| Commerce | ₹5,000/Year | 3 years |
| Public Administration | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Political Science | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Environmental Science | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Chemistry | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| English | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Food and Nutrition | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Psychology | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Library Science | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
| Economics | ₹15,000 (Full Fee) | 3 Years |
Sample Certificate from Karnataka State Open University
Earn a degree equivalent to the on-campus/regular degree by Karnataka State Open University:
- UGC - approved degree
- AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) approval
- NCTE approved
- NAAC A+ accredited
Karnataka State Open University EMI Details
There is no EMI option available at KSOU but the fee of every program is affordable and pocket-friendly. Instead of EMI options, KSOU offers various scholarships and financial aid to students from minorities, tribal welfare departments, and so on.
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KSOU PhD in Public Administration Admission Process
The admission process at Karnataka State Open University is easy as compared to other universities offering ODL, to take admission at KSOU you must follow the given steps:
Step 1: Firstly the student has to visit the official website of the university and register themselves on it.
Step 2: After registration students are required to fill out the application form while selecting the program they want to enroll in.
Step 3: While filling out the application form students have to attach the required documents along with the application form.
Step 4: Students have to pay the application fee while submitting the application form. The fee can be paid through (a). Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/Rupay), Net Banking, or UPI.
Step 5: After submitting the application form students are required to visit the nearest regional center for Original Document Verifications and Study Material Collections.
According to the latest UGC guidelines, all candidates must create their ABC ID and DEB ID to get admission.Click here to Know more!
What is Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) Notification by UGC?Must Watch!
Now, Get admission twice a year, in July/August and January/February. Latest Notice by UGC, Click here to know.
UGC updated the list of approved Online programs for the academic batch of 2024-25, Click here to get the list!
Precautions to be taken by the students before enrolling for programs offered under ODL & Online Learning Mode, Click here to know!
A degree obtained through ODL mode is equivalent to a traditional degree, Click here to know!
To check the eligibility criteria for the scholarship at Karnataka State Open University Click here.
To search offered programs at KSOU go to the official website of the university or click here to check the recognition of your program and search them by your department.
For examination fee payment of your opted program Click here.
Check the result of your enrolled program by Click here.
UGC declares a 100% Fee Refund policy for students within a specified period by universities.Click hereto read the full notice.
UGC issues a public notice regarding misleading abbreviations in the names of Universities & Colleges. Read the UGC Letter.
KSOU PhD in Public Administration Syllabus / Curriculum
The KSOU PhD syllabus in Public Administration addresses fundamental areas of research: Research Methodology, Data Collection Methods, Data Analysis, and Computer and Research. The syllabus covers theoretical ways of thinking about public policy and public administration, including models and approaches, constraints, implementation, and evaluation. The syllabus addresses governance, institutional mechanisms for combating corruption, regulatory governance, and contemporary issues. The fieldwork and specialized residencies tailored to students' directions aim to create advanced knowledge and research skills for original contributions to the knowledge of public administration and governance. The program balances theoretical rigor and professional relevance to prepare candidates for both academic and professional practice.
|
Sl. No. |
Course Title |
No. of Credits |
Total Learning Hours |
IA Mark |
IA Minimum |
Term End Exam Marks |
Term End Minimum |
Total Marks |
Total Minimum |
|
1 |
Research Methodology |
03 |
45 |
25 |
10 |
50 |
40 |
100 |
75 |
|
2 |
Cognate Subject |
03 |
45 |
25 |
10 |
50 |
40 |
100 |
75 |
|
3 |
Research Publication and Ethics |
02 |
30 |
25 |
10 |
50 |
40 |
100 |
50 |
|
4 |
Area of Specialization(s) |
03 |
45 |
25 |
10 |
50 |
40 |
100 |
75 |
|
5 |
Viva Voce |
01 |
— |
50 |
40 |
50 |
— |
100 |
50 |
KSOU PhD in Public Administration Examination Pattern
The examination pattern of KSOU consists of internal assessment and end-term examination which are divided according to the weightage of marks they carry individually, and they are combined and evaluated at the end of every semester. Internal assessment carries 20-30% of weightage which is decided by the university and a notice is circulated to the students through their official website the students can submit their internal assessment online or at the dedicated regional study center allotted by the university.
Job Roles after PhD in Public Administration
After earning a PhD in Public Administration from Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), students can venture into various career opportunities in research, academics, government, and consultancy. The most frequent opportunities are university professor, teaching, and mentoring future public administration practitioners. They can work as research scientists or research advisors for academia, think tanks, or policy research institutes, developing public policy analysis and governance studies. Several find positions as subject matter experts or consultants in government departments, NGOs, and international bodies where their knowledge assists in developing, implementing, and assessing public policies.
Further, PhD graduates can take up senior management positions in public administration divisions or as chief consultants providing expert advice on governance and administrative reform. Some also find employment in corporate research and development functions addressing regulatory compliance and governance. These positions take advantage of the research, analytical, and theoretical expertise attained through the PhD program. The degree also provides a window for contributing to national and global research studies and policy advisory committees, which increases leverage over public administration reforms.
|
Job Role |
Average Salary (INR Lakhs per Annum) |
|
University Professor |
15.7 |
|
Research Scientist |
10 |
|
Subject Matter Expert |
8.8 |
|
Research Advisor |
5 |
|
Senior Consultant |
19 |
|
Policy Analyst |
7 |
|
Administrative Officer |
5.4 |
|
Public Relations Specialist |
6 |
|
Consultant |
13.6 |
|
Product Manager |
22 |
Karnataka State Open University Placement Partners
Karnataka State Open University started its placement cell in 2019 for assisting students with better career opportunities and give them exposure to the corporate world. The university also provides internships and jobs during the program to give a learning experience to students in different fields. The university also holds placement fairs and melas for students all over Karnataka. A few pros of the placement at KSOU are:
- Average salary package fall between 3 - 6 LPA
- 10+ companies visited un 2023 placement drive
- 2000+ job vacancies were filled in this academic year
Our students work at
50%
Average Salary Hike
300+
Hiring Partners
3X
Increase in Interview Opportunities

Airtel

Bajaj Electricals

Deloitte

KPMG

LG

HSBC

CocaCola
Frequently Asked Questions?
Candidates should have a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks or equivalent. Relaxation to 50% for SC/ST, and certain service-experienced candidates is applicable.
Yes, KSOU PhD is recognized by the University Grants Commission and complies with UGC regulations for PhD programs.
Minimum duration is 3 years and maximum is 6 years for completion.
Yes, admission includes a common entrance test (CET) and an interview, though some candidates may be exempted.
Yes, the program is flexible and supports working professionals to study alongside their careers.
The syllabus covers research methodology, cognate subjects, research ethics, area of specialization, and viva voce.
Assessment includes coursework exams, presentations, progress reports, and a final dissertation defense.
Graduates can pursue academic, research, policy-making, consultancy, and government administrative roles.
Yes, accredited foreign M.Phil degrees are eligible for admission consideration.
KSOU provides seminars, counseling, research supervision, and progress monitoring to guide candidates.
Every query is essential.
Our team of experts, or experienced individuals, will answer it within 24 hours.
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Karnataka State Open University Reviews
Student Reviews
3.6 out of 5
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Govind Gupta
Reviewed in India on August 17, 2023
In order to ensure fairness and integrity in the evaluation of students' knowledge, the examination procedure is well-organized and typically held at authorized centers.
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Govind Gupta
Reviewed in India on August 17, 2023
In order to keep students involved and connected, the institution frequently provides online support services like virtual classes, discussion boards, and doubt-clearing sessions.
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Nikita Rajput
Reviewed in India on August 17, 2023
Distance learning from university is frequently more cheap than traditional on-campus programs, opening up higher education to a larger spectrum of people.
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Manav Kumar
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2023
The placement facilities are amazing at the university, where they guide me throughout my course and helped me in achieving a good package at the placement drive of the university.
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Pooja Patel
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2023
I completed my UG degree from Karnataka state university this year and I am satisfied with their education system and regulations. I received amazing study material with an updated curriculum that helped a lot me throughout my academic journey.
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Summary
Karnataka State Open University
Student Reviews
3.6 out of 5
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