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The Federal Public Service Commission or Union public service commission which is officially and popularly called as(UPSC) and also a constitutional body in India to conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union. The Indian Constitution (Part XIV - Services Under the Union and the states - article no. 315 to 323) provides for a Public Service Commission for the union and a Public Service Commission for each state. Indianisation of the superior Civil Services became one of the major demands of the political movement compelling the British Indian Government to consider setting up of a Public Service Commission for recruitment to its services in the territory. The first Public Service Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. However, its limited advisory functions failed to satisfy the people’s aspirations and the continued stress on this aspect by the leaders of our freedom movement resulted in the setting up of the Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935. Under this Act, for the first time, provision was also made for the formation of Public Service Commissions at the provincial level.
The Union Public Service Commission if requested by the Governor of a State, may, with the approval of the President work for the State.
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Members of UPSC
The Chairman and other members of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) are appointed by the President of India. At least half of the members of the Commission are Civil Servants (working or retired) with minimum ten years of experience either in Central or State service. Every member holds office for a term of six years or until he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. He 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 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. As of January 2008, the commission is headed by Shri Subir Dutta, who held the posts of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Secretary to the UPSC prior to his current position. In addition to the chairman there are ten other members.
Functions
Functions of the UPSC are to conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.
- Recruitment to services & posts under the Union through conduct of competitive examinations;
- Recruitment to services & posts under the Central Government by selection through Interviews;
- Advising on the suitability of officers for appointment on promotion as well as transfer-on-deputation;
- Advising the Government on all matters relating to methods of Recruitment to various services and posts;
- Disciplinary cases relating to different civil services; and
- Miscellaneous matters relating to grant of extra ordinary pensions, reimbursement of legal expenses etc.
The annual list of competitive exams is:
- Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
- Civil Services (Main) Examination
- Indian Forest Service Examination
- Indian Engineering Services Examination
- Geologist Examination
- Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination
- National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination
- Combined Defence Services Examination
- Combined Medical Services Examination
- Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination
- Section Officers/Stenographers (Grade-B/Grade-I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
- Central Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination
Recruitment Rules
In accordance with the provisions contained in Article 320 of the Constitution read with the provisions of Union Public Service Commission (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations 1958, Recruitment Rules of all Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B" posts in various Ministries/Departments of Government of India are required to be framed in Consultation with the Commission. Consultation with the Commission is also necessary for framing/amending Recruitment Rules for certain categories of posts under the Employees State Insurance Corporation, The Delhi Municipal Corporation, The New Delhi Municipal Council, Employees Provident Fund Organisation etc. under the relevant Acts made by Parliament in pursuance of the provisions of Article 321.
Reports
The UPSC annually submits a report of its work to the President of India. Further it is sent to each house of Parliament for discussion.
