The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) marks a century of its establishment on October 1.
- Since its creation in 1926, it has been the guardian of meritocracy, fairness, and integrity in civil services recruitment, earning the trust of millions of aspirants.
Historical Evolution
- Colonial Origins: The East India Company initially recruited employees for mercantile roles, but after the Battles of Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764), governance became central to its functioning.
- Administrative Reforms: Governors-General such as Warren Hastings, Lord Cornwallis, and Lord Wellesley reshaped the bureaucracy in British India.
- Macaulay Committee: The 1854 report recommended merit-based recruitment, leading to the Civil Service Commission in Britain (1855), which extended to India by 1858.
- First Indian Entry (1863): Satyendra Nath Tagore became the first Indian to clear the ICS exam.
- Civil Services Exam in India: The examination began to be conducted in India in 1922.
- Government of India Act, 1919: Provided for an independent commission to recruit higher civil servants.
- Lee Commission (1924): Recommended Indianization and establishment of a Public Service Commission.
- Public Service Commission (1926): Established under the Government of India Act, 1919; with Sir Ross Barker as the first Chairman.
- Government of India Act (1935): Proposed Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and Provincial Public Service Commissions (PPSC).
- FPSC was Established on 1 April 1937. After Independence, H.K. Kripalani became Chairman in 1947 briefly. Later, Chandreshwar Prasad Srivastava took over.
- UPSC (1950): With the Constitution’s adoption, the FPSC became the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a Constitutional Body under Articles 315–323.
Constitutional Mandate
- Article 315: Provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States.
- Article 320: Outlines the functions of the UPSC mainly deals with examinations, recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary matters.
- Tenure of Members: Members serve for six years or until the age of 65, ensuring institutional independence.
About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central recruiting agency in India.
Composition of UPSC
- Appointment: The Chairman and members are appointed by the President of India.
- Strength: The Constitution does not fix the number of members; it is left to the President’s discretion.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications prescribed, except that at least half the members must have held office under the Government of India or a State for 10 years or more.
- Service Conditions: The President determines the service conditions of the Chairman, members, and staff of the Commission.
Removal of UPSC Chairman or Members
- Grounds for Removal by President:
- Insolvency: If judged bankrupt.
- Outside Employment: If engaged in paid work outside official duties.
- Infirmity: If found unfit to continue due to infirmity of mind or body.
- Ground of Misbehaviour:
- The President may be removed for misbehaviour, but only after reference to the Supreme Court.
- If the Supreme Court upholds the charge and advises removal, the President is bound by that advice.
- During the inquiry, the President may suspend the Chairman or member.
- Definition of Misbehaviour:
- Being concerned or interested in a government contract or agreement (Union or State).
- Participation in profits or benefits from such a contract/agreement, other than as a common shareholder of an incorporated company.
Independence of UPSC
- Security of Tenure: The Chairman or a member can be removed only on grounds and in the manner provided in the Constitution.
- Service Conditions: Though decided by the President, these conditions cannot be altered to their disadvantage after appointment.
- Financial Independence: Salaries, allowances, pensions of the Chairman, members, and staff are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, not subject to Parliamentary vote.
- Post-Service Restrictions:
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- Chairman: Ineligible for further employment under Government of India or State after retirement.
- Members: Eligible to become Chairman of UPSC or a State PSC, but not for any other government employment.
- The Chairman or members are not eligible for a second term once their tenure is completed.
Functions
- Recruitment: Conducts exams for All-India Services, Central Services, and Union Territory services.
- State Assistance: Assists states in joint recruitment schemes or provides services to a state on request (with Presidential approval).
- Advisory Role: Advises government on recruitment methods, appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary cases, legal expense claims, and pension awards.
- Presidential Reference: Considers any matter referred by the President of India.
- Judicial View: Supreme Court held UPSC consultation is directory, not mandatory; selection does not guarantee a right to appointment.
- Additional Functions & Reporting: Parliament can expand UPSC’s role; submits an annual report to the President, which is laid before Parliament with reasons for non-acceptance of advice.
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Scope and Examinations
- Civil Services Examination: Conducted for recruitment to IAS, IPS, IFS, and several Central Civil Services, with nearly 10–12 lakh candidates appearing annually.
- Other Examinations: The UPSC also conducts recruitment for Engineering, Forest, Medical, Defence, and Statistical Services.
- Annual Statistics: In 2022–23, the UPSC processed 33.51 lakh applications and conducted 15 recruitment examinations, of which 11 were for civil services and four for defence services.
- Language Diversity: Candidates can write their answers in English or any of the 22 languages recognised by the Constitution.
Challenges
- Credibility Threats: Incidents such as the dismissal of IAS officer Puja Khedkar in 2024 have raised concerns about malpractice.
- Long Process: The exam cycle takes around 1.5 to 2 years from application to final selection, leading to high uncertainty.
- Examination Pressure: The enormous scale of the examinations creates social and psychological stress among aspirants.
- Lack of Transparency: The interview process is often seen as a “Black Box,” lacking transparency and objectivity, leading to scope for subjective bias.
- Ethical Failure: Despite having an Ethics paper, many officials exhibit unethical behaviour (taking bribes).
Recent Initiatives
- Digital Reforms: New online application portals and face-recognition technology have been introduced to prevent impersonation.
- PRATIBHA Setu Initiative: This programme provides alternate career opportunities to candidates who reach the interview stage but are not selected.
Key Committees on Civil Services Reforms
- Kothari Committee (1976): Recommended a three-stage exam system (Prelims–Mains–Interview) and rationalized recruitment for all services.
- Satish Chandra Committee (1989): Suggested introducing an Essay paper in Mains and increasing the weightage of the Personality Test.
- Alagh Committee (2001): Proposed aptitude-based testing (reasoning, comprehension, decision-making) in the Preliminary exam.
- Hota Committee (2004): Focused on modernization, ethics, ICT use, performance appraisal, and HR practices in civil services.
- Nigavekar Committee (2007): Reviewed the Mains structure; recommended reducing reliance on optional subjects and revising the syllabus.
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Conclusion
As UPSC enters its centenary year, the institution must preserve its core values of fairness and meritocracy while evolving to meet the demands of a 21st-century governance system. Balancing tradition with innovation will define the next 100 years of India’s civil services.
1 Oct 2025
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