Coordinates: 28.6080°N 77.

2269°E

Union Public Service Commission

The Union Public Service Commission (Hindi: संघ लोक सेवा
Union Public Service
आयोग, IAST: Saņgh Lok Sevā Āyōg), commonly abbreviated as
Commission
UPSC, is India's premier central recruiting agency. It is
responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India
services and group A & group B of Central services.[2] While
Department of Personnel and Training is the central personnel
agency in India.

The agency's charter is granted by Part XIV of the Constitution of

India, titled as Services Under the Union and the States.[3][4] The
commission is mandated by the Constitution for appointments to
the services of the Union and All India Services. It is also
required to be consulted by the Government in matters relating to
the appointment, transfer, promotion and disciplinary matters.
The commission reports directly to the President and can advise
the Government through him. Although, such advice is not Emblem of India
binding on the Government. Being a constitutional authority,
Commission overview
UPSC is amongst the few institutions which function with both
Formed October 1, 1926
autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s higher judiciary
and lately the Election Commission.[5] Preceding Federal Public
agencies Service
The commission is headquartered at Dholpur House, in New Commission
Delhi and functions through its own secretariat. Arvind Saxena
Public Service
has been the Chairman of UPSC since June 2018.
Commission

Established on 1 October 1926 as Public Service Commission, it Jurisdiction Republic of India

was later reconstituted as Federal Public Service Commission by Headquarters Dholpur House,
the Government of India Act, 1935; only to be renamed as today's Shahjahan Road,
Union Public Service Commission after the independence.[6][7] New Delhi
28.6080°N
77.2269°E

Contents Commission Arvind Saxena[1],

executive (Chairman)
History
Parent Government of India
Constitutional status
department
Appointment
Removal and suspension Website upsc.gov.in (http://u
Functions psc.gov.in)
Expenses
Extension of functions
Reporting
Organisational structure
Secretariat
Present members
 List of chairmen
References

History
The Royal Commission on the superior Civil Services in India was set up under the chairmanship of Lord
Lee of Fareham by the British Government in 1923.[8][6] With equal numbers of Indian and British
members, the commission submitted its report in 1924, recommending setting up of a Public Service
Commission.[9] The Lee Commission proposed that 40% of future entrants should be British, 40%
Indians directly recruited, and 20% Indians promoted from the provincial services.[8][7]

This led to the establishment of the first Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926 under the
chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker.[6] A mere limited advisory function was granted to the Public Service
Commission and the leaders of the freedom movement continually stressed on this aspect, which then
resulted in the setting up of a Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act,
1935.[6][7]

The Federal Public Service Commission became the Union Public Service Commission after
independence. It was given a constitutional status with under of Constitution of India on 26 January
1950.[9][7][10]

Constitutional status
Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the constitution, titled as Services Under the Union and the States,
provide for a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each state.[3][4] Accordingly, as per Art.
315, at Union level, Union Public Service Commission is envisaged by it. UPSC is amongst the few
institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s higher judiciary
and lately the Election Commission.[5]

Appointment
As per Art. 316, the Chairman and other members of Union Public Service Commission shall be
appointed by the President. In case the office of the Chairman becomes vacant his duties shall be
performed by one of the other members of the Commission as the President may appoint for the
purpose.[11]

Also, nearly half of the members of the Commission shall be persons who at the dates of their respective
appointments have held office for at least ten years either under the Government of India or under the
Government of a State. A member of a Union Public Service Commission shall hold office for a term of
six years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of sixty-five years,
whichever is earlier. Under Art 318, the President is empowered to determine number of members of the
Commission and their conditions of service. Further, he can make provision with respect to the number
of members of the staff of the Commission and their conditions of service too. Also, conditions of service
cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.[11]
As per Art 319, a person who holds office as Chairman shall, on the expiration of his term of office, be
ineligible for re-appointment to that office. But, a member other than the Chairman of the Union Public
Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman of the Union Public Service
Commission, or as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission, but not for any other
employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State. Also, the
Chairman of a State Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any
other member of the Union Public Service Commission.[11]

Removal and suspension

As per Art. 317, the Chairman or any other member of a Public Service Commission shall only be
removed from their office by order of the President on the ground of "misbehaviour" after the Supreme
Court, on reference being made to it by the President, has, on inquiry reported that the Chairman or such
other member ought to be removed. The President may suspend the Chairman or other member of the
Commission until report of the Supreme Court is received.[11]

The President may also remove the Chairman or any other member of the commission if they:

is adjudged an insolvent; or
engages during their term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of their office;
or
is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or
body.
The Chairman or any other member cannot hold an office of profit or otherwise they shall be
deemed to be guilty of misbehaviour.[11]

Functions
As per Art. 320, it shall be the duty of the Union Public Service Commissions to conduct examinations
for appointments to the services of the Union. It shall also assist two or more States, if requested so, in
framing and operating schemes of joint recruitment for any services.[11]

The Union Public Service Commission shall be consulted:

on all matters relating to

methods of recruitment to civil services and for civil posts
making appointments to civil services and posts
making promotions and transfers from one service to another
the suitability of candidates for such appointments, promotions or transfers
on all disciplinary matters against a civil servant serving in a civil capacity, including
memorials or petitions relating to such matters.
on any claim by or in respect of a person who is serving or has served in a civil capacity,
that any costs incurred by him in defending legal proceedings instituted against him in
respect of acts done or purporting to be done in the execution of his duty should be paid out
of the Consolidated Fund of India.
on any claim for the award of a pension in respect of injuries sustained by a person while
serving in a civil capacity, and any question as to the amount of such award.
It shall be the duty of a Union Public Service Commission to advise on any matter referred to them;
provided that the President has not made any regulations specifying the matters in which it shall not be
necessary for Union Public Service Commission to be consulted.[11]

Expenses
As per Art. 322, the expenses of the Union Public Service Commission, including any salaries,
allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of the members or staff of the Commission, shall be
charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.[11]

Extension of functions
As per Art. 321, an Act made by Parliament may provide for the exercise of additional functions by the
Union Public Service Commission w.r.t. services of the Union.[11]

Reporting
As per Art. 323, it will be the duty of the Union Commission to annually present a report to the President
of the work done by the Commission. On receipt of such report, the President shall present a copy before
each House of Parliament; together with a memorandum, if any, explaining the reasons where the advice
of the Commission was not accepted by him.[11]

Organisational structure
The Commission consists of a chairman and other members appointed by The President of India.
Usually, the Commission consists of 9 to 11 members including the chairman.[12] Every member holds
office for a term of six years or until he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.

The terms and conditions of service of chairman and members of the Commission are governed by the
Union Public Service Commission (Members) Regulations, 1969.[13]

The chairman and any other member of the Commission can submit his resignation at any time to the
President of India. He may be removed from his office by the President of India on the ground of
misbehaviour (only if an inquiry of such misbehaviour is made and upheld by Supreme Court) or if he is
adjudged insolvent, or engages during his term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his
office, or in the opinion of the President unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or
body.

Secretariat
The Commission is serviced by a Secretariat headed by a Secretary with four Additional Secretaries, a
number of Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and other supporting staff.[14] The secretariat, for
administrative purpose, is further divided into divisions, each undertaking a specific responsibility:[15]

Administration: Administers the Secretariat as well as looks after personal matters of

Chairman/Members and other Officers/Staff of the Commission.[16]
All India Services: Recruitment to All India Services is done either by direct recruitment,
through Civil Services Examination or by promotion from the State Service. The AIS Branch
handles the promotions of State Service officers to the IAS, IPS and IFS. It also handles
 policy matters relating to All India Services and amendments in the 'Promotion Regulations'
of respective services.[17]
Appointments: It carry out appointments to central services based on Promotion(based on
proposals from various Ministries/Departments/Union Territories and from certain local
bodies) and by the means of Deputation and Absorption.[18]
Examination: It carries out merit-based selection and recommendation of candidates,
through various examinations, to Group A and Group B Services of the Government of
India.[19]
General: Primarily deals with day-to-day housekeeping works for Commission, like,
arrangements and facilitation for conduction of Examinations by the UPSC, printing Annual
Report etc.[20]
Recruitment: This branch carries out Direct Recruitment(out of the 3 possible mechanisms
of : 'direct recruitment', 'recruitment by promotion' and 'recruitment by transfer and
permanent absorption') by selection to all Group `A’ and certain Group `B’ posts of the
services of the Union (including some Union Territories). These recruitment are done either
by selection(interview) or through competitive examination.[21]
Recruitment Rules: The Commission is mandated under Art. 320 of the Constitution of
India, read along the UPSC (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations, 1958, to advise on
framing and amending of Recruitment and Service Rules for various Group A and Group B
posts in the Government of India, and certain autonomous organizations like EPFO, ESIC,
DJB, NDMC & Municipal Corporations(s) of Delhi. This Branch carries out this responsibility
by facilitating the Ministries / Departments / UT Administrations / Autonomous Organisations
in this regard.[22]
Services I: Handles disciplinary cases received from various Ministries/Departments and
State Governments for advice of the Commission, as required under Article 320 (3)(c).
Services II: Handles all other cases that 'Services I' branch doesn't. It compiles the Annual
Report. Also, it coordinates visits of foreign delegations, correspondence with foreign
countries and hosting of international events concerning Public Service Commissions,
including the SAARC Member States.

Present members

Current members of the Commission[23]

Name Service Position Term started Term end
Arvind Saxena Indian Postal Service Chair 29 Nov 2018 07 Jul 2020
Pradeep Kumar Joshi Academician Member 12 May 2015 12 May 2021
Bhim Sain Bassi IPS Member 31 May 2016 19 Feb 2021
Air Marshal Ajit Bhonsle Indian Air Force Member 21 Feb 2017 14 Feb 2022
Sujata Mehta Indian Foreign Service Member 29 Feb 2017 29 Mar 2022
Manoj Soni Academician Member 28 Jun 2017 27 Jun 2023
Smita Nagaraj IAS Member 01 Dec 2017 21 Sep 2023
M. Sathiyavathy IAS Member 09 Apr 2018 15 May 2023
Bharat Bhushan Vyas IAS Member 13 Dec 2018 14 Nov 2022
T. C. A. Anant Indian Economic Service Member 14 Jan 2019 02 Jan 2023
Rajiv Nayan Choubey IAS Member 01 Feb 2019 27 Jan 2024
List of chairmen
Following is the list of Chairmen of UPSC:[24]
 List of UPSC Chairmen (since inception)
Term
Chairman Background
From To
Sir Ross Barker October 1926 August 1932
Sir David Petrie August 1932 1936
Sir Eyre Gorden 1937 1942
Sir F. W. Robertson 1942 1947
H. K. Kripalani 1 April 1947 13 January 1949
R. N. Banerjee 14 January 1949 9 May 1955
N. Govindarajan 10 May 1955 9 December 1955
V. S. Hejmadi 10 December 1955 9 December 1961
B. N. Jha 11 December 1961 22 February 1967
K. R. Damle 18 April 1967 2 March 1971
Ranadhir Chandra Academician, West Bengal Civil Services
11 May 1971 1 February 1973
Sarma Sarkar officer
Akhlaqur Rahman
5 February 1973 4 February 1979
Kidwai
M. L. Shahare 16 February 1979 16 February 1985
H. K. L. Capoor 18 February 1985 5 March 1990
J. P. Gupta 5 March 1990 2 June 1992
R. M. Bathew
23 September 1992 23 August 1996
(Kharbuli)
S. J. S. Chhatwal 23 August 1996 30 September 1996
J. M. Qureshi 30 September 1996 11 December 1998

Surendra Nath 11 December 1998 25 June 2002 Former Vice Chief of the Army Staff[25]

Purna Chandra Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of

25 June 2002 September 2003
Hota the 1962 batch[26]
Mata Prasad September 2003 January 2005 IAS officer of the 1962 Batch
S. R. Hashim 4 January 2005 1 April 2006
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the
Gurbachan Jagat 1 April 2006 30 June 2007
1966 batch[27]
Subir Dutta 30 June 2007 16 August 2008
D. P. Agrawal 16 August 2008 August 2014 Academician

Rajni Razdan 16 August 2014 21 November 2014 IAS officer of 1973 batch, Haryana cadre[28]
IAS officer of 1974 Batch, Jharkhand
Deepak Gupta 22 November 2014 20 September 2016
cadre[29][30]

IAS officer of 1974 Batch,[31] Madhya

Alka Sirohi 21 September 2016 3 January 2017
Pradesh cadre[32]

Academician[33] and former Vice-chancellor

David R. Syiemlieh 4 January 2017 21 January 2018
of the Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar[34]
Vinay Mittal 22 January 2018 19 June 2018 Former Chairman Railway Board and Indian
 Railway Traffic Service officer of 1975
batch[35]
Indian Postal Service officer of 1978 Batch
Arvind Saxena
20 June 2018 28 November 2018 and an officer of the Research and Analysis
(acting)
Wing[36]

Arvind Saxena 28 November 2018 Incumbent Appointed full-time chairman[37]

References
1. "The Commission – UPSC" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180621075148/http://upsc.gov.i
n/about-us/commission). 21 June 2018.
2. "UPSC | Functions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/functions). www.upsc.gov.in.
3. "Constitutional Provisions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/constitutional-provisions).
www.upsc.gov.in.
4. "PART XIV: SERVICES UNDER THE UNION AND THE STATES" (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20111203131448/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fs
ss(19).pdf) (PDF). lawmin.nic.in. Archived from the original (http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/c
oi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf) (PDF) on 3 December 2011.
5. J. S. Verma (11 April 2009). "Incredible CBI" (http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/incredi
ble-cbi/445568/0). Indian Express. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
6. "Civil Administration and legal foundation" (http://vle.du.ac.in/mod/book/print.php?id=10252
&chapterid=17113). vle.du.ac.in. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
7. "Historical Perspective" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/historical-perspective).
www.upsc.gov.in.
8. "Lee Commission | Indian history" (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lee-Commission).
Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
9. "Citizen's Charter of UPSC" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/citizens-charter).
www.upsc.gov.in.
10. "Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C) – History, Functions, Powers – Important
India" (http://www.importantindia.com/1736/union-public-service-commission-upsc-history-fu
nctions-powers/). Important India. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
11. "Constitution of India" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160416084719/http://lawmin.nic.in/olw
ing/coi/coi-english/coi-4March2016.pdf) (PDF). Government of India. November 2015.
Archived from the original (http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/coi-4March2016.pdf)
(PDF) on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2017. This article incorporates text from this
source, which is in the public domain.
12. "The members of the Union Public Service Commission" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/c
ommission). UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. 2017.
13. "Notification_39019_05_96_Estt(B)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20171215200921/http://do
cument.ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/Notification_39019_05_96_Estt
(B)_Eng.pdf) (PDF). document.ccis.nic.in. Archived from the original (http://document.ccis.ni
c.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/Notification_39019_05_96_Estt(B)_Eng.pdf)
(PDF) on 15 December 2017.
14. "Secretariat" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/secretariat). www.upsc.gov.in.
15. "UPSC Divisions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions). www.upsc.gov.in. Retrieved
25 June 2017.
16. "Administration Division Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/administrati
on/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
17. "All India Service Branch Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/all-india-se
rvices-ais-branch/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
18. "Appointments: Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/appointments/introd
uction). www.upsc.gov.in.
19. "Examinations : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/examination/introdu
ction). www.upsc.gov.in.
20. "General : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/general-branch/introducti
on). www.upsc.gov.in.
21. "Recruitment : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/recruitment/introducti
on). www.upsc.gov.in.
22. "Recruitment Rules: Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/recruitment-rul
es/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
23. "The Commission" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/commission-). Union Public Service
Commission. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
24. "Chairmen of UPSC" (https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/general_info.php?id=9).
India.gov.in. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
25. "New UPSC chairman takes over" (http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19981212/3465040
4.html). The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 12 December 1998. Retrieved
4 December 2018.
26. "P C Hota takes over as UPSC chief" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/P-C-Hota-ta
kes-over-as-UPSC-chief/articleshow/14080805.cms). The Times of India. Press Trust of
India. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
27. "Gurbachan Jagat takes over as UPSC Chairman" (http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/g
urbachan-jagat-takes-over-as-upsc-chairman_285531.html). Zee News. 1 April 2006.
Retrieved 3 December 2018.
28. "Smt. Rajni Razdan takes over as Chairman, UPSC" (http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.
aspx?relid=108838). pib.nic.in.
29. "Deepak Gupta made UPSC chairman" (http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/d
eepak-gupta-made-upsc-chairman/). 24 November 2014.
30. "No full-fledged secretaries for I and B, Panchayati Raj ministries, temporarily" (http://www.b
abusofindia.com/2011/10/no-full-fledged-secretaries-for-i-and-b.html).
www.babusofindia.com.
31. "Alka Sirohi, 1974 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS, assumes office as DoPT secretary" (ht
tp://www.babusofindia.com/2010/11/alka-sirohi-1974-batch-madhya-pradesh.html).
www.babusofindia.com.
32. "A Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Alka Sirohi, assumes office as Member, Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC). Before taking over her new charge, Sirohi – officer of 1974
batch – served as Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, ministry of personnel. -
Times of India" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/A-Madhya-Pradesh-cadre-IAS-officer-Al
ka-Sirohi-assumes-office-as-Member-Union-Public-Service-Commission-UPSC-Before-taki
ng-over-her-new-charge-Sirohi-officer-of-1974-batch-served-as-Secretary-Department-of-P
ersonnel-Training-ministry-of-personnel-/articleshow/11364725.cms).
33. "Academician David R Syiemlieh appointed interim UPSC chairman" (http://www.newindian
express.com/nation/2017/jan/04/academician-david-r-syiemlieh-appointed-interim-upsc-chai
rman-1556038.html).
34. "Aapsu upset over Rajiv Gandhi University vice-chancellor departure – Times of India" (http
s://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Aapsu-upset-over-Rajiv-Gandhi-University-vic
e-chancellor-departure/articleshow/14507992.cms).
35. "Know your UPSC Member and ex-Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal" (http://www.babus
ofindia.com/2013/08/know-your-upsc-member-and-ex-railway.html). www.babusofindia.com.
36. "Arvind Saxena appointed acting UPSC chief" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/arvi
nd-saxena-appointed-acting-upsc-chief/articleshow/64530541.cms). The Times of India. 10
June 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
37. "Arvind Saxena appointed UPSC chairman" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/arvind
-saxena-appointed-upsc-chairman/articleshow/66852125.cms). The Times of India. Press
Trust of India. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.

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