Decode Civils CAShorts
Current affairs Open app
ExplainerPolityPrelimsGS2

Union Public Service Commission: the constitutional recruiter turns 100

By CAShorts DeskPublished Updated Source: PIB Research explainer, 30 September 2026

Why in news: The Union Public Service Commission turned 100 on 1 October 2026, dating its history to India's first Public Service Commission of 1926, the government said.

Union Public Service Commission: the constitutional recruiter turns 100
Illustration (AI-generated)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the constitutional body, provided for in Articles 315 to 323, that recruits for the Union's services by examination and selection and advises the government on recruitment, promotions and disciplinary cases. It traces its origin to India's first Public Service Commission, constituted on 1 October 1926, and turned 100 on 1 October 2026.

Syllabus: Prelims · Polity & Governance; GS2 · Constitutional Bodies; GS2 · Civil Services

In short

The Union Public Service Commission, a constitutional body under Articles 315-323, recruits for the Union's services on merit; its independence is shielded, its advice not binding.

From the ICS to the UPSCICS examination, 1855Lee Commission, 1924First Public ServiceCommission, 1926Federal PSC, 1937UPSC, 26 January 1950

At a hundred, the UPSC must guard its independence and reach aspirants whom coaching costs and geography still hold back.

Why it matters

A candidate from a district town who sits the Civil Services Examination relies on one promise: that the paper, the marking and the interview judge merit alone, whoever the candidate's family knows. The Commission's constitutional shields keep that promise. Once appointed, its members cannot be removed at the government's will, and rejected advice must be explained to Parliament, so recruitment and promotion stay out of reach of patronage. The scale is large: according to the government, applications across its examinations and selections peaked at over 45 lakh in 2022-23. The larger issue is the 'steel frame' of administration: an impartial, merit-based civil service lets policy reach people fairly, whichever party governs.

Prelims pointers

  • Article 315: a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State; Parliament may create a Joint State PSC when the State Legislatures concerned pass resolutions.
  • Article 316: the President appoints the UPSC Chairman and members; term six years or till age 65 (State PSC: 62); about half must have ten years' government service.
  • Article 317: removal for misbehaviour by the President after a Supreme Court inquiry; also for insolvency, outside paid employment, or infirmity of mind or body.
  • Article 318: the President fixes the number of UPSC members and their conditions of service; the Constitution itself sets no number.
  • Article 319: the UPSC Chairman cannot hold any later government job; a member may become UPSC Chairman or a State PSC Chairman.
  • Article 320: the UPSC is consulted on recruitment, promotions and discipline, but not on reservations under Article 16(4) or claims under Article 335.
  • Articles 322 and 323: expenses charged on the Consolidated Fund of India; annual report to the President, laid before Parliament with reasons for advice not accepted.
  • Article 312: a new All India Service needs a Rajya Sabha resolution backed by two-thirds of members present and voting.

Practise a UPSC-style question

With reference to the evolution of Public Service Commissions in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Councils Act, 1909 provided for the setting up of a Public Service Commission in India.

2. The Lee Commission recommended the immediate establishment of a statutory Public Service Commission.

3. The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for a Federal Public Service Commission and Provincial Public Service Commissions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

1 is incorrect: it was the Government of India Act, 1919, enacted after the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, that provided for a Public Service Commission; the Indian Councils Act, 1909 (the Morley-Minto Reforms) did not. 2 is correct: the Lee Commission's 1924 report urged a statutory Public Service Commission at once, and one was constituted on 1 October 1926. 3 is correct: the Government of India Act, 1935 provided for a Federal Public Service Commission and Provincial Public Service Commissions; the federal body became the UPSC in 1950.

More Explainers

All Explainers

More Polity current affairs