Dr. Ajay Kumar, a 1985 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

- The appointment is made under Article 316(1) of the Constitution of India.
Eligibility for UPSC Chairmanship
- Appointing Authority: The President of India.
- Tenure: Up to six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
- A person must have:
- Served as a member of the UPSC, or
- Held significant experience in public service (as in the case of Dr. Ajay Kumar, a former Defence Secretary).
Also Read: UPSC Chairman List
About UPSC
- Established: As the Public Service Commission on October 1, 1926; reconstituted as Union Public Service Commission in 1950.
- Constitutional Status: Provided under Articles 315–323 in Part XIV of the Constitution.
- Mandate: Recruitment to All India Services and Central Services Group A and B.
Composition of UPSC
- Chairman + typically 9 to 11 members.
- Members are appointed by the President of India.
- Tenure of each member: 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
- Conditions of service and number of members are determined by the President under Article 318.
Key Functions of UPSC
- Conducting Examinations for:
- All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
- Central Services (e.g., Civil Services, NDA, CDS, IFS exams)
- Direct Recruitment:
- Through interviews, written tests, or a combination of both.
- Advisory Role to Government on:
- Recruitment methods for various posts.
- Promotions and transfers in civil services.
- Disciplinary cases involving civil servants.
- Framing and Amending Recruitment Rules:
- Consultation in drafting and updating rules for recruitment to government services.
- Handling Disciplinary Matters:
- Including penalties, departmental inquiries, and legal cases involving misconduct by civil servants.
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