Union Public Service Commission

Coordinates: 28.6080°N 77.2269°E

The Union Public Service Commission (ISO: Saṅgh Lōk Sēvā

Āyōg), commonly abbreviated as UPSC, is India's premier central Union Public Service
recruitment agency for recruitment of all the Group 'A' officers Commission
under Government of India. It is responsible for appointments to
and examinations for the Group 'A' posts of several central
government establishments which also includes the central public
sector undertakings and the central autonomous bodies.[1] 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.[2][3] 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
Emblem of India
commission reports directly to the President and can advise the
Government through him. Although, such advice is not binding on Commission overview
the Government. Being a constitutional authority, UPSC is Formed 1 October 1926
amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy
and freedom, along with the country’s higher judiciary and lately Jurisdiction Republic of India
the Election Commission.[4] Headquarters Dholpur House,
Shahjahan Road,
The commission is headquartered at Dholpur House, in New Delhi New Delhi
and functions through its own secretariat. Dr. Manoj Soni has been
28.6080°N
the Chairman of UPSC since 5 April 2022.[5] 77.2269°E
Established on 1 October 1926 as Public Service Commission, it Minister Ministry of
was later reconstituted as Federal Public Service Commission by responsible Personnel,
the Government of India Act 1935; only to be renamed as today's Public
Union Public Service Commission after the independence.[6][7] Grievances and
Pensions
History Commission Dr. Manoj Soni,
executive (Chairman)
The Royal Commission on the superior Civil Services in India was
set up under the chairmanship of Lord Lee of Fareham by the Parent Government of
British Government in 1923.[8][6] With equal numbers of Indian department India
and British members, the commission submitted its report in 1924, Child Public Service
recommending setting up of a Public Service Commission.[9] The Commission Commissions in
India
Lee Commission proposed that 40% of future entrants should be Website upsc.gov.in (http://
British, 40% Indians directly recruited, and 20% Indians promoted upsc.gov.in)
from the provincial services.[8][7]
Map
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]

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.[2][3] 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.[4]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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

is/are adjudged an insolvent; or

engage/s during their term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of their office;
or
is/are, 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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

Organizational structure
The Commission consists of the chairman and other members appointed by The President of India. Usually,
the Commission consists of 9 to 11 members including the chairman.[11] 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.[12]

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 misbehavior 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.[13] The secretariat, for
administrative purpose, is further divided into divisions, each undertaking having a specific
responsibility:[14]

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

Chairman/Members and other Officers/Staff of the Commission.[15]
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.[16]
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.[17]
Examinations: It carries out merit-based selection and recommendation of candidates,
through various examinations such as the Engineering Services Examination, Medical
Services Examination, Defence Services Examination, Civil Services Examination, etc, to
Group A and Group B Services of the Government of India.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20]
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.[21]
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

The institute currently has seven members including the Chairman, compared to its sanctioned strength of
ten members.

Current members of the Commission[22]

Name Service Position Term Started Term End

Dr. Manoj Soni Academician Chairman 5 April 2022 27 June 2023

1 December 21 September
Smita Nagaraj IAS Member
2017 2023

M. Sathiyavathy IAS Member 9 April 2018 15 May 2023

29 November
Preeti Sudan IAS Member 29 April 2025
2022
Indian Economic
T. C. A. Anant Member 14 January 2019 2 January 2023
Service

Rajiv Nayan Choubey IAS Member 1 February 2019 27 January 2024

Lieutenant General Raj Shukla

(Retd)
Indian Army Member 18 July 2022[23] 26 March 2027

List of chairmen
Following is the list of Chairman of UPSC:[24]
List of UPSC Chairman (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

Sh. 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 Former Governor of Haryana, Rajasthan,

5 February 1973 4 February 1979
Kidwai West Bengal & Bihar

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
23 September 1992 23 August 1996 1st Woman Chairman
Bathew (Kharbuli)

S. J. S. Chhatwal 23 August 1996 30 September 1996

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the

J. M. Qureshi 30 September 1996 11 December 1998
1956 batch,[25] Madhya Pradesh cadre

Surendra Nath 11 December 1998 25 June 2002 Former Vice Chief of the Army Staff[26]
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of
Purna Chandra Hota 25 June 2002 September 2003
the 1962 batch[27]
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[28]
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[29]
IAS officer of 1974 Batch, Jharkhand
Deepak Gupta 22 November 2014 20 September 2016
cadre[30][31]

IAS officer of 1974 Batch,[32] Madhya

Alka Sirohi 21 September 2016 3 January 2017
Pradesh cadre[33]
Academician[34] and former Vice-chancellor
David R. Syiemlieh 4 January 2017 21 January 2018
of the Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar[35]
Former Chairman Railway Board and Indian
Vinay Mittal 22 January 2018 19 June 2018 Railway Traffic Service officer of 1975
batch[36]
Indian Postal Service officer of 1978 Batch
Arvind Saxena and an officer of the Research and Analysis
20 June 2018 28 November 2018
(acting)
Wing[37]

Arvind Saxena 28 November 2018 24 August 2020 Indian Postal Service[38]

Pradeep Kumar Academician, former Chairman of CPSC,

7 August 2020 4 April 2022
Joshi MPPSC
Dr. Manoj Soni 5 April 2022 Incumbent Academician and Member of UPSC (acting)

See also
List of Public service commissions in India

References
1. "UPSC | Functions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/functions). www.upsc.gov.in.
2. "Constitutional Provisions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/constitutional-provisions).
www.upsc.gov.in.
3. "PART XIV: SERVICES UNDER THE UNION AND THE STATES" (https://web.archive.org/
web/20111203131448/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8
Fsss(19).pdf) (PDF). lawmin.nic.in. Archived from the original (http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/
coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf) (PDF) on 3 December 2011.
4. J. S. Verma (11 April 2009). "Incredible CBI" (http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/incredib
le-cbi/445568/0). Indian Express. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
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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. "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.
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(PDF) on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2017. This article incorporates text from this
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11. "The members of the Union Public Service Commission" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/c
ommission). UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. 2017.
12. "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
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(PDF) on 15 December 2017.
13. "Secretariat" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/secretariat). www.upsc.gov.in.
14. "UPSC Divisions" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions). www.upsc.gov.in. Retrieved
25 June 2017.
15. "Administration Division Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/administrati
on/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
16. "All India Service Branch Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/all-india-s
ervices-ais-branch/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
17. "Appointments: Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/appointments/introd
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18. "Examinations : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/examination/introdu
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19. "General : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/general-branch/introducti
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20. "Recruitment : Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/recruitment/introducti
on). www.upsc.gov.in.
21. "Recruitment Rules: Introduction" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/divisions/recruitment-rule
s/introduction). www.upsc.gov.in.
22. "The Commission" (http://www.upsc.gov.in/about-us/commission-). Union Public Service
Commission. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
23. "Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Raj Shukla appointed member, UPSC" (https://www.thehindu.com/news/nat
ional/lt-gen-retd-raj-shukla-appointed-member-upsc/article65655011.ece). The Hindu. 18
July 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
24. "Chairmen of UPSC" (https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/general_info.php?id=9).
India.gov.in. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
25. "A.T. Ariyaratne awarded Gandhi Peace Prize for 1996" (https://www.indiatoday.in/magazin
e/signposts/story/19961031-a.t.-ariyaratne-awarded-gandhi-peace-prize-for-1996-834024-1
996-10-31).
26. "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.
27. "P C Hota takes over as UPSC chief" (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/P-C-Hota-tak
es-over-as-UPSC-chief/articleshow/14080805.cms). The Times of India. Press Trust of
India. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
28. "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.
29. "Smt. Rajni Razdan takes over as Chairman, UPSC" (http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.
aspx?relid=108838). pib.nic.in.
30. "Deepak Gupta made UPSC chairman" (http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/d
eepak-gupta-made-upsc-chairman/). 24 November 2014.
31. "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.
32. "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.
33. "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-Alk
a-Sirohi-assumes-office-as-Member-Union-Public-Service-Commission-UPSC-Before-takin
g-over-her-new-charge-Sirohi-officer-of-1974-batch-served-as-Secretary-Department-of-Per
sonnel-Training-ministry-of-personnel-/articleshow/11364725.cms). The Times of India.
34. "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).
35. "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). The Times of India.
36. "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.
37. "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.
38. "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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