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