Do you aspire to clear UPSC exams? Well, UPSC organizes different exams every year including CSE, CDS, NDA, CMS, and many more. Every year millions of students appear for any of these examinations. But how well do you know about UPSC?
In this article, we will cover important aspects of UPSC and when UPSC started in the year. Moreover, if you are a UPSC CSE aspirant then this is an important question for general studies paper-2 of mains.
What is UPSC?
UPSC is the abbreviated form of Union Public Service Commission. It is India’s premier central recruiting agency that is responsible for recruiting candidates for several civil services, medical services, engineering services, and defence service posts.
This commission ensures fair recruitment on several posts according to merit. It is also responsible to take decisions regarding appointments, transfer, promotion, and disciplinary matters with the consultation of the government.
When was the UPSC Established?
The public service commission was established on 1 October 1926. Later under the Government of India Act 1935, it was reformed as the Federal Public service Commission. Only after independence, it was named the Union Public Service Commission. Hence it is safe to assume that UPSC was founded in the year 1926.
After the higher judiciary and Election commission, it is another commission that enjoys autonomy and freedom from the effect of the executive. This commission has headquarters at Dholpur House, New Delhi. Pradeep Kumar Joshi was appointed as current Chairman of UPSC.
Constitution Provision Regarding UPSC
Article 315 to 323 (Part XIV) of the Constitution deals with the Union Public Service Commission. It lays out provisions regarding appointments, composition, functions, etc. Here is a brief overview of these provisions:
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Also Read: Permanent Court of Arbitration: Important Notes for UPSC Exam
When was UPSC Founded?
UPSC was established in the year 1926 but it was only named after independence.
Composition of UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman along with 10 other members. They are obliged to follow rules and set of conduction according to the Union Public Service Commission Regulations, 1969. It can vary from 9 to 11.
Appointment and Tenure
#1. The President of India appoints the Chairman of the commission. He withholds this position for 6 years until he has achieved the age of 65.
#2. The President of India also appoints the other members of the commission given that half of the members should have served union or state as a civil servant for at least 10 years or more. Each member enjoys their position until six years or until they attain the age of 65.
#3. In case when the office of the chairperson becomes vacant or is unable to perform his duties due to some reason, the president has the right to appoint an acting chairperson to perform his functions in his absence.
Removal
#1. Chairperson of the commission cannot be removed before the expiry of their term. They can be only removed from their position according to the procedure laid in Article 317 of the Constitution.
#2. Members of the commission can submit their ruination to the President of India or the latter can remove him on the grounds of misconduct or misbehaviour.
According to article 317, the President of India can remove the Chairman or any other member after the inquiry is set up by the Supreme Court of India. He can remove members of the commissions:
# If they are adjudged an insolvent
# Engaged in any other paid employment apart from their duties of the office.
# Is declared unfit to continue their office
# If the President declared them to be guilty of misbehaviour
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History of UPSC Chairmans from 1926 Till 2021 August
Chairman | Term | |
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 Sarma Sarkar | 11 May 1971 | 1 February 1973 |
Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai | 5 February 1973 | 4 February 1979 |
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 |
Rose Millian Bathew (Kharbuli) | 23 September 1992 | 23 August 1996 |
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 |
Purna Chandra Hota | 25 June 2002 | September 2003 |
Mata Prasad | September 2003 | January 2005 |
S. R. Hashim | 4 January 2005 | 1 April 2006 |
Gurbachan Jagat | 1 April 2006 | 30 June 2007 |
Subir Dutta | 30 June 2007 | 16 August 2008 |
D. P. Agrawal | 16 August 2008 | August 2014 |
Rajni Razdan | 16 August 2014 | 21 November 2014 |
Deepak Gupta | 22 November 2014 | 20 September 2016 |
Alka Sirohi | 21 September 2016 | 3 January 2017 |
David R. Syiemlieh | 4 January 2017 | 21 January 2018 |
Vinay Mittal | 22 January 2018 | 19 June 2018 |
Arvind Saxena (acting) | 20 June 2018 | 28 November 2018 |
Arvind Saxena | 28 November 2018 | 24 August 2020 |
Pradeep Kumar Joshi | 25 August 2020 | Incumbent |
UPSC Secretariat- Function Performed by It
The functions of the commission are performed by the Secretariat. This consists of Secretary, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and other supporting members. This is further divided to perform several functions that are:
# Administration: Administer the secretariat and look after personal matters of Chairman, members, officers and staff.
# All India Services: This branch handles the promotion matters of the state service officer to IAS, IPS, or IFS. Moreover, it handles policy matters related to AIS amendments in the Promotion regulations.
# Appointments: It carries out all appointments of central services.
# Examination: It carries out the merit-based selection of candidates by conducting different examinations like Engineering services, medical services, defence of misbehaviour service and civil service examinations.
# General: It deals with the day-to-day activity of the commission.
# Recruitment: This branch carries out direct recruitment for the selection of group A and group B posts through selection or competitive exams.
# Service I: It handles disciplinary cases received from ministries and state governments.
# Service II: It handles the rest of the cases that service I do not handle. It also is responsible for coordinating with delegations and hosting international events.
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Independence of UPSC
Apart from the Indian Judiciary and Election commission, UPSC is also an independent body that works without any interference from the executive. Here is the following provision in the Constitution to ensure this:
#1. Security of tenure: The chairperson and other members can only be removed under the rules mentioned in the constitution.
#2. Security of Job Condition: The President of India decides the condition of the service of the Chairman and other members. Once declared it cannot change it.
#3. Salaries and Expenditure: Commission does not depend on the Parliament. All expenses of the Commission including salaries, allowances, and pension are allocated from the consolidated fund of India.
#4. Chairperson cannot be re-appointed under the government of India: According to article 319, the chairperson of the UPSC cannot hold any office under the government of India or the state.
#5. Provision regarding members: Other members of the UPSC can be re-appointed as the Chairman of the UPSC.
#6. Provision regarding Chairman: Once a chairperson cannot be reappointed for the second term.
Functions of the Union Public Service Commission
The function of the commission is prescribed under Article 320 of the Constitution of India. These are as follows:
# Conduct examinations for the appointment of various services to the State and UT
# Direct recruitment of candidates through interviews
# Appointment of officer on promotion, absorption, or deputation
# Formulating and amending the recruitment rules of various services.
# Carrin disciplinary cases
# Advising the government on matters referred to the commission
Current Designation of UPSC
Name | Service | Position |
Dr Pradeep Kumar Joshi | Professor | Chairman |
Bhim Sain Bassi | IPS | Member |
Air Marshal Ajit Bhonsle | Indian Air Force | Member |
Sujata Mehta | Indian Foreign Service | Member |
Dr Manoj Soni | Academician, Former Vice-Chancellor | Member |
Smita Nagaraj | IAS | Member |
M. Sathiyavathy | IAS | Member |
Bharat Bhushan Vyas | IAS | Member |
T. C. A. Anant | Indian Economic Service | Member |
Rajiv Nayan Choubey | IAS | Member |
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Conclusion
Union Public Service Commission is the central recruitment agency of India. It derives its powers from the constitution of India and is free from any interference of the Executive. Every year it conducts a different exam to recruit candidates for various group A and B posts of the government on a fair basis.
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