This paper explores the evolution from New Public Management (NPM) to Public Value Management (PVM) as a response to the limitations and evolving societal expectations confronting traditional public administration. In the context of globalization and post-modern societal shifts, NPM emerged in the late 20th century advocating for efficiency and market-oriented approaches in public sector governance. However, its emphasis on economic reforms overlooked broader social values and citizen-centric outcomes, prompting the development of PVM. PVM prioritizes public values over mere efficiency, aiming to align governmental actions with societal aspirations and needs. Coined by Mark Moore, PVM emphasizes accountability, equity, and responsiveness to public concerns, marking a departure from NPM’s market-centric strategies. This paradigm shift reflects a deeper integration of citizen perspectives and collective societal values into public service delivery and policy formulation. Through a comparative analysis with traditional public administration and NPM, this paper illustrates how PVM bridges the gap between administrative efficiency and societal expectations, thereby offering a nuanced approach to contemporary governance challenges. It argues that PVM’s focus on public values presents a compelling framework for fostering trust, transparency, and legitimacy in public administration amidst dynamic societal changes.