The 2025 national conference of chairpersons of the State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) is being hosted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission on December 19 and 20.

Background of PSCs

• Origins: The Public Service Commissions originated from India’s struggle for self-rule, where leaders demanded merit-based entry for Indians into the civil services.
• Role of the Montagu–Chelmsford (Montford) Reforms: The Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 accepted this demand and recommended the creation of an independent, apolitical body to regulate service matters.
• Establishment of Early PSCs: The first Public Service Commission at the Union level was established in 1926 to introduce impartiality and merit in recruitment.
• Government of India Act, 1935: The Government of India Act, 1935 mandated the formation of Public Service Commissions in all provinces, expanding the institutional framework of recruitment.
• Continuity in the Constitution of India: The framers of the Constitution retained these provisions, resulting in the existence of the Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions today.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Compared To State Public Service Commissions (State PSC)

Way Forward

• Structural Reforms:
  • Establish Dedicated State Personnel Ministries: Each State should create a dedicated Ministry of Personnel to streamline manpower planning and prepare a five-year recruitment roadmap that enables PSCs to conduct examinations regularly.
  • PSC Membership Age: A constitutional amendment should fix the minimum age for PSC members at 55 years and the maximum age at 65 years to ensure the presence of experienced and mature individuals.
  • Bipartisan Consultation in Appointments: States should mandate pre-appointment consultation with the Leader of the Opposition for non-official members to enhance transparency and reduce political interference.
  • Statewide Panels of Eminent Individuals: Each State should maintain a regularly updated panel of individuals with high integrity, competence, and independence for appointment to PSCs.
• Procedural Reforms: 
  • Revise Syllabus Periodically with Public Consultation: State PSCs should revise their syllabi periodically, place proposed changes in the public domain, and incorporate feedback through open consultations.
  • Adopt a Balanced Exam Format: State PSCs should test State-specific knowledge through objective papers and conduct main examinations using a mix of objective and subjective papers to ensure fairness and comprehensiveness.
  • Reduce Paper Leak Risk: Translation processes should combine technological tools with human review to ensure accuracy, while stringent secrecy protocols should be developed to protect exam integrity.
  • Transparency and Confidentiality: State PSCs should adopt UPSC-like mechanisms that provide transparency to candidates while protecting confidential processes essential for exam integrity.

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Conclusion

State PSCs are facing a crisis of credibility due to structural weaknesses and procedural inefficiencies. Implementing comprehensive reforms can restore public confidence and bring State PSCs on par with the UPSC.

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