PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ONE LINER MCQS
Public Administration is the backbone of every government system. It focuses on implementing policies, managing resources, and ensuring public welfare efficiently. For students preparing for CSS, PMS, PPSC, or other competitive exams, mastering Public Administration MCQs is essential.
Here, we’ve compiled 300 most important Public Administration One Liner MCQs with Answers, designed to strengthen your conceptual clarity and boost your test performance. Each question is concise, exam-focused, and updated for quick learning.
Set 1 – Fundamentals of Public Administration
Who is called the father of Public Administration?
Woodrow WilsonWhen was the essay “The Study of Administration” published?
1887What is the main objective of Public Administration?
Efficient implementation of policiesWho introduced the theory of bureaucracy?
Max WeberWhat does POSDCORB stand for?
Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting
Set 2 – Administrative Theories
Who proposed Scientific Management Theory?
F.W. TaylorWhat is the main focus of Human Relations Theory?
Employee motivationWho introduced 14 Principles of Management?
Henri FayolWhat is delegation of authority?
Transfer of decision-making powerWhat is centralization?
Concentration of authority at one level
Set 3 – Organization and Structure
What is hierarchy?
Arrangement of authority levelsWhat is coordination?
Harmonizing activities of an organizationWhat is accountability?
Answerability for performanceWhat is efficiency?
Achieving maximum results with minimum effortWhat is effectiveness?
Doing the right things to achieve goals
Set 4 – Civil Service and Governance
What is the function of civil service?
Implementation of public policiesWhat is the merit system?
Recruitment based on qualificationWhat is ethics in public service?
Adhering to moral values in administrationWhat is administrative reform?
Improvement in government systemsWhat is good governance?
Transparent and accountable administration
Set 5 – Leadership and Motivation
What is leadership?
Ability to guide and influence othersWhat is motivation?
Encouraging people to perform betterWho developed Hierarchy of Needs Theory?
Abraham MaslowWhat is the role of communication in administration?
Exchange of informationWhat is decision-making?
Selecting the best course of action
Set 6 – Planning and Budgeting
What is planning?
Deciding future course of actionWhat is budgeting?
Financial planning for an organizationWhat is performance budgeting?
Budgeting based on resultsWhat is the purpose of audit?
Checking financial accuracyWhat is fiscal policy?
Government policy on revenue and expenditure
Set 7 – Administrative Law and Control
What is administrative law?
Law regulating administrative actionsWhat is judicial control?
Oversight of administrative acts by courtsWhat is legislative control?
Control of government through lawsWhat is executive control?
Monitoring by higher officialsWhat is Ombudsman?
Official investigating public complaints
Set 8 – Policy and Implementation
What is public policy?
Government’s plan of actionWhat is policy formulation?
Designing policies for executionWhat is policy implementation?
Carrying out approved programsWhat is policy evaluation?
Assessing effectiveness of policiesWhat is decision analysis?
Examining possible policy outcomes
Set 9 – Modern Concepts
What is e-governance?
Use of technology in government operationsWhat is decentralization?
Delegation of authority to lower levelsWhat is participatory governance?
Citizen involvement in governmentWhat is accountability mechanism?
System ensuring responsibilityWhat is transparency?
Openness in government activities
Set 10 – Public Administration in Practice
What is administrative culture?
Shared beliefs and values in administrationWhat is organizational behavior?
Study of individuals in organizationsWhat is performance evaluation?
Measuring employee resultsWhat is public interest?
Welfare of the general publicWhat is ethics audit?
Review of moral conduct in governance
🏛 Public Administration One Liner MCQs (101–200)
Introduction:
This section covers mid-level topics such as administrative control, leadership, reforms, and management. Ideal for revising practical aspects of public organizations.
Set 11 – Bureaucracy and Behavior
What is bureaucracy?
Administrative structure governed by rulesWho defined bureaucracy in modern terms?
Max WeberWhat is red tape?
Excessive adherence to rulesWhat is administrative delay?
Slow decision-making processWhat is staff authority?
Advisory role in decision-making
Set 12 – Human Resource Administration
What is recruitment?
Process of hiring personnelWhat is promotion?
Upgrading an employee’s positionWhat is training?
Developing skills for better performanceWhat is job analysis?
Study of job requirementsWhat is performance appraisal?
Evaluating employee efficiency
Set 13 – Administrative Management
What is the function of management?
Planning, organizing, controllingWhat is coordination in management?
Linking various departmentsWhat is strategic management?
Long-term organizational planningWhat is organization design?
Structuring an administrative bodyWhat is management by objectives?
Goal-oriented management system
Set 14 – Development Administration
What is development administration?
Administration for social and economic growthWhat is the aim of development programs?
Improving living standardsWhat is rural development?
Growth in agriculture and villagesWhat is capacity building?
Enhancing administrative abilityWhat is project management?
Planning and executing development projects
Set 15 – Decision and Control
What is control in management?
Ensuring results match plansWhat is feedback mechanism?
Response system for improvementWhat is corrective action?
Rectifying deviations from plansWhat is accountability in management?
Answerability for resultsWhat is evaluation process?
Assessing progress against goals
Set 16 – Public Policy and Analysis
What is policy cycle?
Stages of policy developmentWhat is impact analysis?
Assessment of policy effectsWhat is cost-benefit analysis?
Comparing costs with advantagesWhat is feasibility study?
Checking practical possibilityWhat is policy research?
Study for better policymaking
Set 17 – Governance and Reform
What is reform?
Change for improvementWhat is administrative innovation?
New techniques in governanceWhat is modernization in administration?
Adoption of latest methodsWhat is public sector reform?
Restructuring government systemsWhat is accountability reform?
Enhancing responsibility and transparency
Set 18 – Leadership and Change
What is leadership style?
Pattern of managerial behaviorWhat is autocratic leadership?
Leader-centered decision-makingWhat is democratic leadership?
Participation-based managementWhat is laissez-faire leadership?
Freedom-based leadershipWhat is transformational leadership?
Inspiring and motivating followers
Set 19 – Financial and Fiscal Management
What is public finance?
Management of government fundsWhat is zero-based budgeting?
Budget prepared from scratchWhat is deficit financing?
Expenditure exceeds revenueWhat is taxation?
Compulsory payment by citizensWhat is auditing?
Examination of financial records
Set 20 – Administrative Responsibility
What is the rule of law?
All are equal before lawWhat is ministerial responsibility?
Minister accountable for departmentWhat is citizen charter?
Document listing service commitmentsWhat is grievance redressal?
Resolving public complaintsWhat is public service ethics?
Moral conduct in public office
🏛 Public Administration One Liner MCQs (201–300)
Introduction:
These advanced MCQs cover leadership, accountability, ethics, and modern governance — crucial for mastering public administration concepts.
Set 21 – Contemporary Issues
What is new public management?
Modern approach emphasizing efficiencyWhat is e-administration?
Digital management of servicesWhat is public accountability?
Responsibility to the citizensWhat is participatory administration?
Public involvement in decision-makingWhat is open government?
Accessible and transparent governance
Set 22 – Decision and Strategy
What is administrative decision?
Choice among alternativesWhat is strategic planning?
Long-term policy directionWhat is tactical decision?
Short-term operational choiceWhat is administrative leadership?
Guiding officials toward goalsWhat is collective responsibility?
Group accountability in governance
Set 23 – Organizational Efficiency
What is efficiency audit?
Checking use of resourcesWhat is effectiveness measurement?
Assessing goal achievementWhat is productivity improvement?
Increasing work outputWhat is service quality?
Standard of public servicesWhat is administrative reform commission?
Body suggesting reforms
Set 24 – Policy and Administration
What is intergovernmental relation?
Cooperation among government levelsWhat is delegation of power?
Assigning authority downwardWhat is performance audit?
Review of results achievedWhat is decision control?
Monitoring before implementationWhat is internal audit?
Evaluation within the organization
Set 25 – Ethics and Integrity
What is corruption?
Misuse of authority for personal gainWhat is integrity?
Adherence to moral principlesWhat is ethical dilemma?
Conflict between moral choicesWhat is ethics training?
Education on right conductWhat is administrative morality?
Virtue in public administration
Set 26 – Governance and Society
What is civil society?
Organizations outside the stateWhat is public participation?
Citizen involvement in decisionsWhat is transparency law?
Freedom of Information ActWhat is accountability framework?
Structure for answerabilityWhat is local governance?
Administration at grassroots level
Set 27 – Administrative Management
What is organizational change?
Transformation in structureWhat is performance management?
Continuous assessment of employeesWhat is decision support system?
Computerized aid for decisionsWhat is performance index?
Measure of progressWhat is administrative sustainability?
Long-term institutional balance
Set 28 – Efficiency and Evaluation
What is program evaluation?
Reviewing project outcomesWhat is monitoring?
Tracking progress regularlyWhat is audit trail?
Record of all transactionsWhat is key performance indicator?
Metric to measure successWhat is continuous improvement?
Ongoing process enhancement
Set 29 – Reforms and Accountability
What is decentralization advantage?
Faster decisions and local controlWhat is good governance principle?
Transparency and accountabilityWhat is administrative innovation?
New methods in managementWhat is capacity development?
Building institutional strengthWhat is service delivery?
Providing public benefits
Set 30 – Final Review
What is fiscal discipline?
Control over government spendingWhat is participatory planning?
Including citizens in plansWhat is leadership development?
Building future managersWhat is institutional reform?
Improvement of systemsWhat is sustainable administration?
Long-lasting and efficient governance
Set 31 – Modern Public Administration Concepts
What is the main aim of public administration?
Efficient and effective service deliveryWhat is interdepartmental coordination?
Collaboration among various departmentsWhat is administrative decentralization?
Distribution of power to lower levelsWhat is the importance of leadership in administration?
It ensures motivation and directionWhat is organizational communication?
Flow of information within an organizationWhat is administrative behavior?
Study of human behavior in administrative settingsWhat is the difference between administration and management?
Administration focuses on policies, management on executionWhat is the purpose of administrative planning?
To achieve goals systematicallyWhat is human resource planning?
Forecasting and managing personnel needsWhat is administrative responsibility?
Obligation to act in public interest
Set 32 – Government Structure and Reforms
What is intergovernmental coordination?
Cooperation between different government levelsWhat is policy coordination?
Ensuring consistency among policiesWhat is national development administration?
Administration focused on economic growthWhat is administrative accountability?
Being answerable for actions and decisionsWhat is internal control?
Mechanism to check activities within the systemWhat is policy advisory role?
Providing expert guidance in policymakingWhat is administrative evaluation?
Assessing effectiveness of administrative programsWhat is the difference between control and supervision?
Control checks performance, supervision guides actionsWhat is a line agency?
Department directly involved in service deliveryWhat is a staff agency?
Unit providing advice and support
Set 33 – Bureaucratic Reforms and Development
What is administrative rigidity?
Inflexibility in following proceduresWhat is bureaucratic discretion?
Freedom to make decisions within rulesWhat is administrative modernization?
Updating processes and technologiesWhat is institutional efficiency?
Achieving goals with minimal wasteWhat is decentralization by devolution?
Transfer of power to local governmentsWhat is administrative bottleneck?
Delay caused by procedural hurdlesWhat is civil service reform?
Improvement in government employment systemWhat is comparative public administration?
Study of administrative systems across countriesWhat is development planning?
Framework for national progressWhat is participatory governance?
Public involvement in decision processes
Set 34 – Governance, Ethics, and Law
What is rule of law in public administration?
Everyone is subject to the lawWhat is administrative discretion?
Decision-making within legal boundariesWhat is administrative morality?
Adherence to ethical standardsWhat is good administrative conduct?
Fairness, honesty, and responsibilityWhat is a code of conduct?
Set of ethical rules for officialsWhat is transparency in governance?
Open and clear public dealingsWhat is citizen feedback system?
Mechanism for public opinion and complaintsWhat is ethical leadership?
Leading by moral principlesWhat is whistleblower protection?
Safeguarding those who report wrongdoingWhat is corporate governance in public institutions?
Accountable and transparent management
Set 35 – Administrative Innovation and Technology
What is digital governance?
Use of IT to manage public functionsWhat is performance benchmarking?
Comparing results with best practicesWhat is public data management?
Collection and analysis of government dataWhat is decision-making software?
Tool for evaluating administrative optionsWhat is artificial intelligence in governance?
Automation of administrative tasksWhat is e-participation?
Citizen engagement through digital meansWhat is digital accountability?
Tracking actions through online systemsWhat is process reengineering?
Redesigning systems for efficiencyWhat is ICT in administration?
Information and Communication Technology applicationsWhat is the future of public administration?
Smart, transparent, and citizen-centered governance