Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): 1854 to 2025
Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
is India's premier central recruiting agency, responsible for conducting
various examinations to recruit candidates for All India Services, Central
Services, and Group A & B posts under the Government of India. Established
as a constitutional body, the UPSC ensures fair and transparent recruitment
procedures based on merit.
History of UPSC- Establishment
and Evolution
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
has a rich history dating back to the British era. Here's a detailed overview:
·
The origin of the UPSC
can be traced back to the British era:
- 1854: The Macaulay Committee recommended merit-based recruitment through competitive exams.
- ·
1926: The Public Service
Commission of India was set up under the chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker on
October 1, 1926, under the Government of India Act, 1919.
- ·
1935: The Government of
India Act, 1935, reconstituted the Public Service Commission as the Federal
Public Service Commission.
- ·
26 January 1950: After
India became a republic, the Union Public Service Commission was formally
constituted under Article 315 to 323 of the Constitution of India.
Union Public Service
Commission Chairman- Overview |
|
Who Appointed? |
President of India |
What is the tenure |
6 years (or 65 years) |
Eligibility required |
An Experience of at least 10 years in the Central
or State services |
Salary |
Rs 30 lakhs per annum |
Current Chairman |
Ajay Kumar |
First Chairman |
Sir Ross Barker (1926) |
First Indian UPSC Chairman |
H. K. Kripalani (1947) |
First Female UPSC Chairperson |
Rose Millian Bathew (Kharbuli) |
First Female UPSC Chairman |
Rose Millian Bathew (Kharbuli) (1992) |
Structure
of UPSC
The UPSC is a constitutional body as per
Part XIV of the Indian Constitution. Its structure is as follows:
Chairman
and Members
- - The UPSC consists of a Chairman and a maximum of 10 other members.
- - All members are appointed by the President of India.
- - The term of a member is 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever comes first.
Functions
and Responsibilities
·
As defined in Article
320, the main functions of UPSC include:
Conducting examinations for appointments to the services of the Union.
·
Direct recruitment by
selection.
·
Advising the government
on matters related to personnel management and recruitment rules.
·
Disciplinary cases and
promotions.
1. Recruitment: UPSC
conducts examinations and interviews for recruitment to various civil services
and posts in the Government of India.
2. Advisory Role: The
commission advises the government on matters related to recruitment, promotion,
and disciplinary actions.
3. Conducting Examinations:
UPSC conducts various examinations, including the Civil Services Examination
(CSE), Engineering Services Examination (ESE), and others.
Major
Examinations Conducted by UPSC
The UPSC conducts a wide range of
examinations throughout the year. Some of the most prominent ones include:
Civil
Services Examination (CSE)
For recruitment to services like IAS, IPS,
IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IRS, and others. Conducted in three stages:
Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).
- Indian
Forest Service (IFoS) Examination
Recruits officers for the Indian Forest
Service. Preliminary exam is common with CSE; Main exam is separate.
- Engineering
Services Examination (ESE)
For recruitment to technical and
managerial functions in the Government of India.
- Combined
Defence Services (CDS) Examination
For recruitment into Indian Military
Academy (IMA), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy
(OTA).
- National
Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination
For selecting cadets for the NDA and
Indian Naval Academy.
- Combined
Medical Services (CMS) Examination
For recruiting doctors in various
government departments like Indian Railways, Ordnance Factories, etc.
- Indian
Economic Service (IES)/Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination
For recruitment of economists and
statisticians in government services.
- Combined
Geo-Scientist Examination
For recruitment to posts of geologist,
geophysicist, chemist, and hydrogeologist.
- Central
Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Examination
For recruitment of Assistant Commandants
in forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
Notable Reforms and
Milestones
1. Alagh Committee (1977):
The Alagh Committee recommended reforms in the UPSC examination system.
2. Introduction of Prelims and Mains:
The UPSC introduced the preliminary and main examination pattern in 1988.
3. Expansion of Services:
Over the years, UPSC has expanded its recruitment to various services,
including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service
(IFS), and others.
IAS
and IPS: Relationship with UPSC
1.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The IAS is one of the most prestigious
civil services. Recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Officers
serve in key administrative positions such as District Collectors,
Commissioners, Secretaries, etc.
2.
Indian Police Service (IPS)
The IPS is also recruited through the
Civil Services Examination. Officers are responsible for law enforcement,
internal security, and public safety. IPS officers can rise to the rank of
Director General of Police (DGP) or head central agencies like the CBI, IB,
etc.
Significance
of UPSC
Ensures a merit-based, transparent, and
equitable recruitment process. Acts as a guardian of the federal character of
the Indian civil services. Provides expert advice to the government on matters
relating to personnel management.
Recent Development
The Union Public Service Commission
(UPSC) has introduced several innovative changes during 2024–25 to enhance the
efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity of its examination processes.
These initiatives aim to modernize
administrative procedures and align with evolving technological advancements.
Current members of the Commission
Name |
Service |
Position |
Term
Started |
Term
End |
Ajay Kumar |
IAS |
Chairperson |
15 May 2025 |
1 Oct 2027 |
Lieutenant General Raj
Shukla (Retd.) |
Indian Army |
Member |
18 July 2022 |
26 March 2027 |
Suman Sharma |
IRS |
Member |
25 May 2023 |
24 May 2029 |
Bidyut Bihari Swain |
IAS |
Member |
1 June 2023 |
4 Sep 2028 |
Sanjay Verma |
IFS |
Member |
1 Feb 2024 |
27 Jan 2030 |
Dr. Dinesh Dasa |
Academician |
Member |
29 Sep 2023 |
28 Sep2029 |
Sheel Vardhan Singh |
IPS |
Member |
15 January 2024 |
25 August 2028 |
Sujata Chaturvedi |
IAS |
Member |
1 May 2025 |
18 June 2030 |
Anuradha Prasad |
IDAS |
Member |
2 May 2025 |
22 January 2029 |
1.
Revamped Online Application Portal
In early 2025, UPSC
launched a new online application portal to streamline the registration process
for all its examinations. Key features include:
·
Four-Part
Structure: The application process is divided
into four distinct stages, each presented as a separate card on the homepage,
simplifying navigation for applicants.
·
Aadhaar-Based
Verification: Integration of Aadhaar-based ID
verification enhances the authenticity and security of applicant data.
·
Discontinuation
of OTR Module: The previous One-Time Registration
(OTR) system has been phased out, requiring all candidates to complete a fresh
registration under the new system.
2.
Integration of AI Tools in Preparation
Candidates have
increasingly adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to augment their
preparation strategies:
·
Virtual
Mentors: AI platforms like Gemini have
been utilized by aspirants to simulate interview scenarios, providing real-time
feedback and performance analysis.
·
Self-Assessment:
These tools assist in identifying areas of improvement,
enabling focused and efficient study plans.
3.
Emphasis on Analytical and Interdisciplinary Skills
The 2025 examination
cycle has seen a shift towards evaluating candidates' analytical abilities
·
Preliminary
Examination: While retaining its two-paper
format, there's a sharper focus on current events and analytical reasoning.
·
Mains
Examination: Questions now increasingly require
interdisciplinary knowledge, assessing candidates' ability to integrate
concepts across subjects.
These changes aim to
assess aspirants' aptitude for real-world problem-solving and policy analysis.
4.
Enhanced Accessibility for PwBD Candidates
UPSC has introduced
measures to improve accessibility for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
(PwBD):
·
Flexible
Scribe Options: PwBD candidates are allowed to
change their scribe by notifying UPSC via email up to a specified date before
the examination.
This initiative ensures
greater flexibility and support for candidates requiring assistance.
5. Proposed Reforms in Attempt Limits and
Lateral Entry
Discussions have emerged
regarding potential reforms to the civil services examination framework:
·
Reduction
in Attempt Limits: Suggestions have been
made to decrease the maximum number of attempts from six to three, aiming to
reduce prolonged preparation periods.
·
Lateral
Entry for Experienced Professionals: Proposals
include introducing structured pathways for professionals over 40 years of age
to enter services like the IAS, bringing diverse expertise into the bureaucracy.
These recommendations are
under consideration to modernize the recruitment process and address concerns
about candidate well-being.
Conclusion
The Union Public Service Commission plays
a pivotal role in shaping the bureaucracy of India. Through its rigorous and
impartial examination system, it ensures that only the most deserving and
capable candidates enter the prestigious services like the IAS and IPS, which
are the backbone of Indian governance and administration.
List of UPSC Chairman (1926-2025) |
|||
S. No. |
UPSC Chairman |
Tenure |
|
From |
To |
||
1 |
Sir Ross Barker |
Oct 1926 |
Aug 1932 |
2 |
Sir David Petrie |
Aug 1932 |
1936 |
3 |
Sir Eyre Gorden |
1937 |
1942 |
4 |
Sir F. W. Robertson |
1942 |
1947 |
5 |
H. K. Kripalani |
01 Apr 1947 |
13 Jan 1949 |
6 |
R. N. Banerjee |
14 Jan 1949 |
9 May 1955 |
7 |
N. Govindarajan |
10 May 1955 |
9 Dec 1955 |
8 |
V. S. Hejmadi |
10 Dec 1955 |
9 Dec 1961 |
9 |
B. N. Jha |
11 Dec 1961 |
22 Feb 1967 |
10 |
Sh. K.R. Damle |
18 Apr 1967 |
2 Mar 1971 |
11 |
Ranadhir Chandra Sarma
Sarkar |
11 May 1971 |
1 Feb 1973 |
12 |
Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai |
05 Feb 1973 |
4 Feb 1979 |
13 |
M. L. Shahare |
16 Feb 1979 |
16 Feb 1985 |
14 |
H. K. L. Capoor |
18 Feb 1985 |
5 Mar 1990 |
15 |
J. P. Gupta |
05 Mar 1990 |
2 June 1992 |
16 |
Rose Millian Bathew
(Kharbuli) |
23 Sep 1992 |
23 Aug 1996 |
17 |
S. J. S. Chhatwal |
23 Aug 1996 |
30 Sep 1996 |
18 |
J. M. Qureshi |
30 Sep 1996 |
11 Dec 1998 |
19 |
Surendra Nath |
11 Dec 1998 |
25 June 2002 |
20 |
Purna Chandra Hota |
25 Jun 2002 |
Sep 2003 |
21 |
Mata Prasad |
Sept 2003 |
Jan 2005 |
22 |
S. R. Hashim |
4 Jan 2005 |
01 Apr 2006 |
23 |
Gurbachan Jagat |
1 Apr 2006 |
30 June 2007 |
24 |
Subir Dutta |
30 June 2007 |
16 Aug 2008 |
25 |
D. P. Agrawal |
16 Aug 2008 |
Aug 2014 |
26 |
Rajni Razdan |
16 Aug 2014 |
21 Nov 2014 |
27 |
Deepak Gupta |
22 Nov 2014 |
20 Sep 2016 |
28 |
Alka Sirohi |
21 Sep 2016 |
03 Jan 2017 |
29 |
David R. Syiemlieh |
04 Jan 2017 |
21 Jan 2018 |
30 |
Vinay Mittal |
22 Jan 2018 |
19 June 2018 |
31 |
Arvind Saxena (acting ) |
20 Jun 2018 |
28 Nov2018 |
32 |
Arvind Saxena |
28 Nov 2018 |
6 Aug 2020 |
33 |
Pradeep Kumar Joshi |
07 Aug 2020 |
4 Apr 2022 |
34 |
Dr. Manoj Soni( acting ) |
05 Apr 2022 |
16 May 2023 |
35 |
Dr. Manoj Soni |
16 May 2023 |
July 2024 |
36 |
Preeti Sudan |
01 August 2024 |
29 April 2025 |
37 |
Dr. Ajay Kumar |
May 2025 |
Oct 2027 |
0 Comments