Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional and autonomous body of India, established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. The commission conducts the selection process of officers in the administrative, police, diplomatic and other top services of the country on the basis of fairness, transparency and merit.
Not only does it conduct competitive examinations, but the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) also serves as an important advisory body to the Government of India, making it one of the most prestigious and influential institutions in India.
This article presents the historical background, structure, functioning and role of UPSC in nation building in an analytical form based on the Indian Constitution, Government of India Act 1935, UPSC Annual Reports and other authentic historical and academic sources.
Historical Evolution of UPSC
The roots of the civil services of India go back to the British period, when civil servants of the East India Company were selected through nomination by the directors of the company and trained at Haileybury College in London. A major change occurred after Lord Macaulay’s report to the British Parliament in 1854 recommended replacing the patronage-based system with a merit-based civil service through competitive examinations. As a result, the Civil Services Commission was set up in London in the same year and examinations began in 1855.
Initially the Indian Civil Services examinations were held only in London. The maximum age was 23 years and the minimum age 18 years. The syllabus was designed in such a way that European classics had a major share of marks. All this made it difficult for Indian candidates. Despite the difficulties, in 1864 Satyendranath Tagore, brother of Rabindranath Tagore, became the first Indian to pass the examination. Three years later, 4 other Indians succeeded. Over the next decades, Indians persistently demanded that the examinations be held in India, which materialised only after the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms in 1922. The first Indian Civil Service examination was held at Allahabad and later at Delhi.
Similarly, before independence, the Indian (Imperial) Police consisted of senior police officers who were appointed by the Secretary of State through competitive examination. The first open competition for the police service was held in England in June, 1893, and the top 10 candidates were appointed as Probationary Assistant Superintendents of Police. Entry into the Imperial Police was opened to Indians only after 1920 and the following year examinations for the service were held both in England and India.
The Forest Service began in India in 1864, with the establishment of the ‘Imperial Forest Department’ by the British Indian Government. Its purpose was to manage the forest resources of the country. To ensure smooth functioning of its functions, the ‘Imperial Forest Service’ was formed in 1867, to which forest officers were appointed. Initially the officers were trained in France and Germany, but by 1905, they were trained at Coopers Hill in London. In 1920, changes were made in the recruitment process, which included appointment of officers through direct recruitment in both England and India and promotion from the Provincial Services in India. After independence, the ‘Indian Forest Service’ was established in 1966 under the All India Services Act of 1951, which has played an important role in managing the forest resources of the country.
The central civil services in British India were classified on the basis of their nature, pay scales and appointing authority. In 1887, the Aitchinson Commission divided them into Imperial, Provincial and Subordinate Services.
Imperial Services- were under the Secretary of State and mostly employed British citizens.
Provincial Services- were under the control of the respective Provincial Government and their rules were made with the approval of the Government of India.
Subordinate Services- catered to the needs of the local administration.
After the Indian Act of 1919, the Imperial Services were divided into All India Services and Central Services. The Central Services were directly under the control of the Central Government and included important services like railways, postal and telegraph services, and customs services.
For some of these, the Secretary of State would make appointments, but in most cases the appointment and control of their members was done by the Government of India.
The concept of a Public Service Commission in India came up during the Indian constitutional reforms on March 5, 1919. At that time, the government expressed the need to establish a permanent office for the regulation of service matters.
The Government of India Act of 1919 gave a concrete shape to this idea. Section 96 (c) of the Act provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission in India, which would “perform such functions in relation to the recruitment to and control of the Public Services in India as may be assigned to it by rules made by the Secretary of State in Council.”
The main objective of this commission was to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process, giving priority to merit and efficiency in administration.
Following the provisions of Section 96(c) of the Government of India Act, 1919 and the strong recommendations made by the Lee Commission (Royal Commission on Superior Civil Services in India) in 1924 for the early establishment of a Public Service Commission, the first Public Service Commission in India was established on October 1, 1926. It consisted of a Chairman and four members. Sir Ross Barker, a member of the Home Civil Service of the United Kingdom, was the first Chairman of the Commission.
Later, the Government of India Act, 1935 provided for a Federal Public Service Commission and separate Provincial Commissions. With the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission was renamed as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The existing Chairman and Members were reappointed under Article 378(1) of the Constitution.
Timeline of UPSC’s Evolution
| Year | Key Milestone |
| 1854 | British introduce merit-based exams for Indian Civil Services (ICS). |
| 1926 | First Public Service Commission set up in India. |
| 1935 | Government of India Act provides constitutional status to PSC. |
| 1950 | UPSC formally established as an autonomous body under Article 315. |
| 1976 | UPSC gains more autonomy, ensuring unbiased recruitment. |
| 2024 | Over 10 lakh candidates apply annually for UPSC exams. |
Constitutional Provisions
The provisions relating to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are mentioned in Articles 315 to 323 of Chapter 2 of Part 14 of the Indian Constitution. These provisions may be understood as follows:
Article 315 – Establishment of Public Service Commissions
Article 315(1) of the Constitution provides that there will be a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Centre and a State Public Service Commission (State PSC) for each state. That is,
At the central level – Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
At the state level – State Public Service Commission (State PSC).
Joint Public Service Commission :
Article 315(2) provides for the establishment of a Joint Public Service Commission. When two or more states may agree to form a Public Service Commission for themselves. If its resolution has been passed by the House of the Legislature of each state and where there are two houses, it has been passed by both the Houses. Then the Parliament will form a Public Service Commission for them according to their needs. It is known as Joint Public Service Commission.
Article 316 – Appointment and tenure of UPSC members:
Provisions related to the appointment and tenure of UPSC members have been made in Article 316. According to this, the members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are appointed by the President.
Half of the members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are persons who have held office under the Government of India or a State Government for at least ten years.
Structure of UPSC
The UPSC is a multi-member body consisting of:
Chairman – appointed by the President of India.
Members – Generally, 9-11 members with extensive administrative experience.
Secretariat – supports administrative functions and coordination.
Tenure:
The members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) hold office for a term of six years from the date on which they enter upon their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Article 317 – Removal and Suspension of UPSC Members:
The President has the authority to remove the Chairman or any member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on grounds of Misbehavior. The procedure for removal is as follows:
1. The President refer to the Supreme Court to conduct an Inquiry .
2. The Supreme Court held Inquiry of the matter in accordance with the rules made under Article 145 and submits its report to the President.
3. Based on the Supreme Court’s report, the President may remove the Chairman or member from their position.
However, removal without Inquiry is permitted under the following circumstances:
- If the individual is declared bankrupt.
- If they accept any other paid employment during their tenure.
- If, in the opinion of the President, they become incapable of fulfilling their duties due to mental or physical incapacity.
Suspension:
During an ongoing inquiry by the Supreme Court, the President may temporarily suspend the Chairman or a member of the UPSC until the investigation report is received.
Functions of UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is not merely an exam-conducting body; it plays a vital role in India’s governance. According to Article 320, its major functions include:
1.Conducting Recruitment Examinations
UPSC conducts the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE) to select officers for:
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Additionally, it administers various other examinations, such as:
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
Combined Defense Services Examination (CDS)
National Defense Academy Examination (NDA)
Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS)
Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF)
Examination for Prosecution Officers in Defense Establishments (APO & PO)
2.Direct Recruitment for Key Posts
Apart from competitive exams, UPSC conducts interviews and personality assessments for direct recruitment to senior government positions.
3. Advisory Role to the Government
UPSC advises the President of India on matters concerning recruitment rules, disciplinary actions, and service regulations for civil servants.
4. Framing Recruitment Rules
It formulates and updates recruitment guidelines for various government services and positions.
5. Promotions and Transfers
UPSC oversees promotions and deputations of All India Services (AIS) officers across government departments.
Conclusion
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is not just an exam conducting body but it is a symbol of merit and transparency in the country. Its fair process and constitutional authority make it an important part of the governance system.
The UPSC is changing with time and remains the dream of millions of people to get a prestigious administrative role. Reforms, new technology and inclusiveness will make it stronger in the coming times, making India’s civil services more effective at the global level.
If you are thinking of becoming a civil servant, understanding the role of UPSC is the first and most important step.
