UPSC Chairman, Complete List of Union Public Service Commission Chairman 1926-2023

Madhavi Gaur July 24, 2023 12:48 5426 0

UPSC Chairman 2023

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body responsible for conducting prestigious and competitive examinations for various civil services and appointments to Group A and Group B posts in the Indian government. At the helm of this esteemed institution is the UPSC Chairman, whose pivotal role is to lead and oversee the commission’s functioning.

The UPSC Chairman holds a position of immense responsibility and authority, entrusted with upholding the principles of meritocracy, transparency, and fairness in the recruitment process. This article explores the significant role and vital functions of the UPSC Chairman in ensuring the recruitment of the finest minds to serve the nation. In this we will look at the Complete list, roles and functions of the UPSC Chairman.

UPSC Chairman: Roles and Function

the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is one of the premier recruiting agencies in India responsible for selecting candidates for various civil services and government posts. The Chairman of UPSC plays a crucial role in the functioning of the commission. Here are the roles and functions of the UPSC Chairman:

Head of the Commission: The Chairman is the head of the UPSC and represents the commission in all official matters. They are responsible for overseeing and guiding the functioning of the commission.
Presiding over Meetings: The Chairman presides over the meetings of the UPSC. The commission usually holds regular meetings to discuss various matters related to the recruitment process, policy decisions, and other administrative issues.
Conducting Examinations: The UPSC conducts several examinations, such as the Civil Services Examination (for IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.), Engineering Services Examination, Combined Defense Services Examination, and many others. The Chairman ensures that these examinations are conducted fairly and transparently.
Setting Exam Syllabus and Pattern: The Chairman, along with other members of the commission, is involved in deciding the syllabus and examination pattern for various UPSC exams. They ensure that the syllabus is relevant and covers the required knowledge and skills for the respective posts.
Evaluation and Result Declaration: After the examinations are conducted, the Chairman oversees the evaluation process and the declaration of results. They ensure that the evaluation is done impartially and the results are announced on time.
Recruitment Process: The UPSC Chairman is responsible for overseeing the entire recruitment process, from the issuance of recruitment notifications to the final selection of candidates. They ensure that the selection is based on merit and in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the government.
Liaison with Government and Other Bodies: The Chairman acts as a liaison between the UPSC and the central government. They communicate the commission’s recommendations and decisions to the government and also represent the commission in various interactions with other organizations or stakeholders.
Policy Formulation: The Chairman, along with other members, contributes to the formulation of policies related to the recruitment process and the functioning of the UPSC. They may recommend changes or improvements to the existing procedures.
Handling Grievances: The Chairman may be involved in addressing grievances or complaints from candidates or other stakeholders related to the recruitment process.

UPSC Chairman: What is UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s primary central recruitment agency responsible for appointing all Group ‘A’ officers under the Government of India. It conducts examinations and appointments for various central government establishments, including public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies.

Its authority is granted by Part XIV of the Constitution of India, and it plays a crucial role in appointments to the services of the Union and All India Services. The commission operates independently and reports directly to the President, providing advisory services to the government. UPSC’s headquarters are located in New Delhi, and Dr. Manoj Soni currently serves as its Chairman since 5th April 2022.

Initially established as the Public Service Commission in 1926, it was later reconstituted and renamed as the Union Public Service Commission after India gained independence.

UPSC Chairman: History of UPSC

The history of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) dates back to the colonial era. The concept of a central recruitment agency for civil services in India was first introduced by the British colonial administration. The Government of India Act, 1858, established the Imperial Civil Service (ICS) to administer the British colonial territories in India. The ICS was responsible for running the administrative machinery of the colonial government.

In 1886, the first Public Service Commission was set up on the recommendation of the Aitchison Commission. The purpose of this commission was to conduct examinations and make recommendations for appointments to the Indian Civil Services, which included the ICS and other civil services.

Over time, the scope of the Public Service Commission expanded to include other civil services, and it was reconstituted a few times under different legislative acts.
The Government of India Act, 1919, and the Government of India Act, 1935, both brought changes to the structure and functions of the Public Service Commission.
On October 1, 1926, the Public Service Commission was reestablished as the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) under the Government of India Act, 1935.
After India gained independence in 1947, the FPSC was restructured and renamed as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under the Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The UPSC’s mandate was expanded to include appointments and examinations for various central government services and posts, including the All India Services.
It became the central recruitment agency responsible for recruiting officers to the Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services of the Government of India.
Since its inception, the UPSC has been instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of selection and recruitment to the civil services. It conducts various competitive examinations like the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service Examination (IFSE), Engineering Services Examination (ESE), and many others.

Over the years, the UPSC has played a vital role in shaping India’s administrative structure by selecting and appointing talented individuals to serve the nation in various capacities.

Complete List of UPSC Chairman

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) plays a pivotal role in the recruitment and selection of top-level officials for various governmental positions in India. At the helm of this prestigious commission is the Chairman, who leads and oversees its operations.

Over the years, numerous eminent individuals have held this esteemed position, contributing significantly to the country’s governance and administration. In this comprehensive list, we present the complete compilation of UPSC Chairmen, highlighting their respective tenures and contributions to this vital institution. Here is a table listing the UPSC chairman with their tenures:

[/radius_table]

Complete List of UPSC Chairman
UPSC Chairman Name	UPSC Chairman Tenure
Sir Ross Barker	1926 – 1932
Sir David Petrie	1932 – 1936
Sir Eyre Gorden	1937 – 1942
Sir F. Ross Barker	1942 – 1947
H.K. Kripalani	1947 – 1948
R.N. Banerjee	1948 – 1955
N. Govindarajan	1955 – 1957
A. V. Thakkar	1957 – 1962
K. R. Damle	1962 – 1968
J. L. Kapur	1968 – 1972
C. D. Deshmukh	1972 – 1973
D. P. Kothari	1973 – 1977
R. N. Hota	1977 – 1978
S. Ranganathan	1978 – 1983
M. L. Shahare	1983 – 1987
R. V. Gupta	1987 – 1989
Dr. B. Sivaraman	1989 – 1990
S. Bhattacharya	1990 – 1992
J. P. Venkataraman	1992 – 1993
P.C. Hota	1993 – 1994
R.C. Pandey	1994 – 1996
J. M. Qureshi	1996 – 1998
J. K. Khare	1998 – 2002
Suraj Bhan	2002 – 2007
A. K. Majumdar	2007 – 2008
S. R. Hashim	2008 – 2009
D. P. Agrawal	2009 – 2014
Rajni Razdan	2014 – 2016
Deepak Gupta	2016 – 2017
Alka Sirohi	2017 – 2018
Arvind Saxena	2018 – 2019
Pradeep Kumar Joshi	2020 – 2021
Dr. Manoj Soni	2022 – Present

[/radius_table]

UPSC Chairman: Current Members of the UPSC Commission

As of the present time, UPSC boasts a total of seven distinguished members, which includes the esteemed Chairman who leads the commission. However, it is worth noting that the current number of members falls slightly short of the institute’s authorized or sanctioned strength, which is intended to comprise ten esteemed individuals.

Despite the current variance in numbers, the institution continues to function with utmost dedication and professionalism, diligently carrying out its responsibilities and upholding its significant role in various matters related to appointments, examinations, and consultations for important positions and services in the Union and All India Services under the Government of India.

[/radius_table]

Name	Service	Position	Term Started	Term End
Dr. Manoj Soni	Academician	Chairman	16 May 2023	15 May 2029
Rajiv Nayan Choubey	IAS	Member	1 February 2019	27 January 2024
Rajiv Nayan Choubey	IAS	Member	1 June 2023	4 September 2028
Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (Retd)	Indian Army	Member	18 July 2022	26 March 2027
Smita Nagaraj	IAS	Member	1 December 2017	21 September 2023
Preeti Sudan	IAS	Member	29 November 2022	29 April 2025
Suman Sharma	IRS	Member	25 May 2023	24 May 2029

[/radius_table]

UPSC Chairman: Constitutional Status of UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds a constitutional status in India. It is established by the Constitution of India under Article 315-323, which falls under Part XIV titled “Services Under the Union and the States.” The provisions regarding the UPSC are enshrined in Chapter I of Part XIV.

Article 315 of the Constitution deals with the composition and appointment of the UPSC. It states that there shall be a UPSC for the Union, and the Chairman and other members of the commission shall be appointed by the President of India.

The functions of the UPSC are specified in Article 320 of the Constitution. The commission is responsible for conducting examinations for appointments to the services of the Union and the All India Services.
It is also consulted by the government on matters related to the appointment, transfer, promotion, and disciplinary matters of civil servants.
One of the key aspects of the UPSC’s constitutional status is its independence and autonomy.
The commission functions independently and is not subject to the control of the government in its day-to-day operations. It enjoys the freedom to make decisions and recommendations based on merit and fairness.
The UPSC reports directly to the President of India and submits an annual report on its work to the President. The commission’s advice to the government is not binding, but it is considered with due regard.
This independence allows the UPSC to maintain the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and transparency in its recruitment and selection processes.

UPSC Chairman: Functions of UPSC

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India has a wide range of functions as mandated by the Constitution of India. Some of the key functions of the UPSC include:

Conducting Civil Services Examinations: One of the primary functions of the UPSC is to conduct competitive examinations for the recruitment of civil servants to various prestigious services and posts under the Government of India. This includes the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service Examination (IFSE), Engineering Services Examination (ESE), and others.
Appointments to All India Services: The UPSC is responsible for appointments to the All India Services, which include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS). These services play crucial roles in the administration and governance of the country.
Recruitment to Central Government Services: The UPSC conducts examinations for recruitment to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services of the central government. This includes appointments to ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Advising the Government: The UPSC advises the government on various matters related to personnel management, recruitment rules, and other issues concerning civil services. The government seeks the commission’s advice on appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters of civil servants.
Conducting Interviews and Personality Tests: For certain examinations, such as the Civil Services Examination, the UPSC conducts interviews and personality tests to assess the candidates’ suitability for the services they are being considered for.
Conducting Special Examinations: In addition to the regular recruitment examinations, the UPSC may also conduct special examinations as and when required by the government.
Amendment of Recruitment Rules: The UPSC assists the government in amending or framing recruitment rules for various services and posts to ensure transparency and efficiency in the recruitment process.
Periodic Review of Performance: The commission may conduct periodic reviews of the performance and conduct of civil servants to ensure accountability and adherence to service rules.
Training and Capacity Building: The UPSC may participate in training programs and capacity building initiatives for civil servants to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Research and Studies: The commission may conduct research, studies, and surveys to improve the recruitment process and to provide valuable insights to the government on various aspects of civil services.

List of UPSC Chairman FAQs

Q1: Who is the 31st UPSC Chairman?

Ans: Dr. Manoj Soni assumed the position of Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), ss of 5th April 2022.

Q2: Who was the first UPSC Chairman?

Ans: The first Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was Sir Ross Barker. He served as the Chairman from October 1, 1926, when the Commission was established, until his retirement in February 1929.

Q3: Who is the 32nd UPSC Chairman?

Ans: Manoj Soni assumed the role of UPSC Chairman on April 5th, 2022, succeeding Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi. Here are some key details about the current Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission: Before his appointment to the UPSC, Soni has held three terms as Vice-Chancellor.

Q4: Who is the active UPSC Chairman?

Ans: Born on February 17, 1965, in Mumbai, Dr. Manoj Soni is an eminent educationist currently holding the position of Chairman of the UPSC. He became a part of the Commission on June 28, 2017, and assumed the role of Chairman on April 5, 2022, succeeding his predecessor, Pradeep Kumar Joshi.

Indian Nobel Prize Winners Complete List 1913 to 2023

Important Articles of Indian Constitution Complete List 2023