Why this matters now
UPSC is tested for: Articles 315-323 of Constitution; predecessor Federal Public Service Commission established 1 October 1926 under Government of India Act 1919 (Lee Commission 1924 recommendation); reconstituted as Federal Public Service Commission 1937 under GoI Act 1935; renamed UPSC 26 January 1950; composition of Chairman + 10 members maximum (Art 316(1)); 6-year term or 65 years; removal by President on Supreme Court inquiry (Art 317); cooling-off (further employment restrictions Art 319); and the Madhuri Pillai fake-certificate controversy 2024.
History
The first PSC in India was the Public Service Commission of October 1926, under the Government of India Act 1919, on recommendation of the Lee Commission 1924. Its first Chair: Sir Ross Barker (1926-29). The GoI Act 1935 renamed it the Federal Public Service Commission (1 April 1937). The Constitution renamed it Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950. The Constitution also provided for State PSCs (Article 315) and Joint PSCs (Article 315(2)) for two or more states.
Composition & conditions (Articles 315-323)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 315 | UPSC for Union + SPSC for each State + Joint PSC for two or more states. |
| 316 | Appointment by President. Composition: Chairman + such other members as President may determine (currently 11 total). Half of members shall have at least 10 years’ service in Govt. |
| 316 | Term: 6 years or 65 years (UPSC), 6 years or 62 years (SPSC) — whichever earlier. |
| 317 | Removal by President only on grounds of (a) insolvency, (b) paid employment outside duties, (c) infirmity. For misbehaviour: President refers to Supreme Court; SC inquiry; President removes on SC’s advice. |
| 318 | Salary and service conditions determined by President — cannot be varied to disadvantage after appointment. |
| 319 | Restriction on further employment: Chairman of UPSC = not eligible for further employment under Govt of India or any State; Member of UPSC = eligible only to be Chair of UPSC/SPSC, nothing else. |
| 320 | Functions: conducting exams + advising on (a) recruitment methods, (b) appointment principles, (c) suitability of candidates for promotions/transfers/disciplinary matters. |
| 321 | Parliament can extend UPSC’s functions to additional services. |
| 322 | Expenses charged on Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) — non-votable. |
| 323 | UPSC’s annual report to President — laid before Parliament with action-taken note. |
Civil Services Examination + Chairs
UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually since 1922 (under FPSC). Stages: Prelims (2 papers, June), Mains (9 papers, September-October), Interview/Personality Test (Mar-May). Other UPSC exams: ESE (Engineering Services), IFS (Indian Forest Service Exam, separate Prelims since 2013), CDS, NDA, CAPF (AC), CMS (Combined Medical Services).
Recent UPSC Chairs: David R. Syiemlieh (2017-18), Arvind Saxena (2018-20), Pradeep Kumar Joshi (2020-22), Manoj Soni (2022-24, resigned amid the Puja Khedkar IAS scandal 4 Aug 2024), Preeti Sudan (1 August 2024 - present) — ex-Health Secretary, 6-month interim then full term.
UPSC angle
Know UPSC — Articles 315-323 Constitution; history: Public Service Commission Oct 1926 under GoI Act 1919 on Lee Commission 1924 recommendation, 1st Chair Sir ROSS BARKER 1926-29; renamed Federal Public Service Commission 1 April 1937 under GoI Act 1935; UPSC since 26 January 1950; ART 315 = UPSC+SPSC+Joint PSC; ART 316 = composition Chair + members determined by President (currently 11), half members must have 10+ yr Govt service; TERM 6 yrs OR 65 (UPSC) / 62 (SPSC) whichever earlier; ART 317 REMOVAL only on insolvency/outside-paid-employment/infirmity by President OR for misbehaviour President refers to SUPREME COURT inquiry → President removes on SC advice; ART 319 RESTRICTION ON FURTHER EMPLOYMENT (Chair UPSC = no further Govt employment, Member UPSC = only Chair UPSC/SPSC); ART 320 functions (exams + advising on recruitment/appointment/promotions); ART 322 expenses charged on CFI; ART 323 annual report to President laid before Parliament; CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION since 1922 FPSC, 3 stages Prelims+Mains+Interview; recent Chairs Manoj Soni 2022-Aug 2024 (Puja Khedkar IAS scandal), PREETI SUDAN 1 Aug 2024+ ex-Health Secy.
Frequently asked questions
What is UPSC’s constitutional basis?
Articles 315-323 of the Constitution — UPSC for Union, SPSC for States, Joint PSC for two or more states.
How is UPSC Chairman appointed and removed?
Appointed by the President. Removal only on grounds of insolvency, paid outside employment, or infirmity. For misbehaviour: President refers to the Supreme Court; President removes on the SC’s advice.
Can a UPSC Chairman take other Government jobs after retirement?
No — under Article 319, the UPSC Chairman is barred from further employment under Government of India or any State.
Who is the current UPSC Chairman?
Preeti Sudan — sworn in 1 August 2024, succeeded Manoj Soni after the Puja Khedkar IAS scandal.