Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) – Indian Polity Notes

The full form of UPSC is the Union Public Service Commission.

The UPSC is a constitutional body in India, which works as Central Recruiting Agency of the country.

• Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the constitution talk about UPSC.
• UPSC works as the watchdog of the merit system in India.
• The discharge of duties, functioning, and obligations of the UPSC are assigned under Article 320.
• The UPSC Conducts various examinations in accordance with the Rules of Examination as notified by the Government of India.
• It ensures a just, fair, and impartial manner of merit based selection.
• Finally, it recommends a list of candidates for the various Group A and Group B services of the Government of India.

What is the Union Public Service Commission?

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body authorized to conduct various exams in India. The Commission conducts exams like the Civil Services Exam, which is a recruitment exam for posts like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), India Foreign Services (IFS) etc.

The following are the list of examinations conducted by the Central recruiting agency:

1. Civil Services Examination
2. Indian Forest Service Examination
3. Engineering Services Examination
4. Combined Defense Services Examination
5. National Defense Academy Examination
6. Naval Academy Examination
7. Combined Medical Services Examination
8. Special Class Railway Apprentice
9. Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination
10. Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination
11. Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) Examination

Composition of the UPSC:

The Union Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman and other members. The strength of other members are left to the discretion of the President.

• Generally, the strength of the UPSC is between 9 to 11.
• The members hold the office for 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Present Composition of the Union Public Service Commission:

Name and Details	Designation
Shri Pradeep Kumar Joshi	Present UPSC Chairman
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi	Member
Shri Bhim Sain Bassi	Member
Air Marshal A. S. Bhonsle (retd.)	Member
Ms. Sujata Mehta	Member
Dr. Manoj Soni	Member
Ms. Smita Nagaraj	Member
Ms. M. Sathiyavathy	Member

Arvind Saxena was the UPSC Chairman before Pradeep Kumar Joshi.

Personnel of the Union Public Service Commission

The total strength of the various posts in the examination branch of UPSC is 292. Following officers/officials are posted in the Examination branch of the Commission

Post	Strength
Joint Secretary	2
Deputy Secretary	5
Deputy Secretary (Consultant)	1
Under Secretary	15
Section Officer & other Staff	269
Total	292

Eligibility and Tenure of Chairman & Members

• The President of India appoints the Chairman and other members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• The members of the commission are civil servants, with a minimum experience of 10 years in general. The experience could be working with either the Centre, or the State.
• Each of the members holds office for a term of 6 years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

Criteria for Removal of the members of UPSC

The President can remove the Chairman and other members of the UPSC based on the following situations:

• If he/she is adjudged an insolvent
• If he/she engages in any paid employment while in office\
• If he gets unfit by reason of infirmity of mind or body
• If he engages in misbehavior
  • In this case, the President has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for inquiry.
  • The advice of the Supreme Court in such a case is binding on the President.

Independent functioning of UPSC

• The Chairman and the members of UPSC enjoy security of tenure.
• The terms of services cannot be varied after their appointment.
• The expenses of the commission are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The Chairman of UPSC is not eligible for any future employment under the Government of India or any State Government.

What are the Recruitment rules for the Union Public Service Commission?

• Under the Article 320 of the Indian Constitution, the provisions of the UPSC Regulations 1958, Recruitment Rules of Group A and B posts of the various posts in ministries/departments have to be framed in consultation with the commission.
• Further, it is important to consult UPSC for any type of revision or restructuring of the Recruitment Rules for certain categorical posts under
  • Municipal Cooperation
  • The New Delhi Municipal Coil
  • Employees State Insurance Corporation
  • Employees Provide.

Functions of the Union Public Service Commission

Under the Article 320 of the Indian Constitution, the major functions of the Union Public Service Commission are listed below:

• Conduct examinations for various appointments under Union and State
• Direct Recruitment
• Appointment of Departmental officers on promotion, deputation and absorption
• Constitute and amend recruitment rules for various posts and services
• Disciplinary cases against different actions of Civil Servants
• Recommend to the President regarding any matter related to the UPSC

Reports – UPSC

The UPSC submits a report on its work every year to the President. The President then presents the report of the Commission before the Parliament. Along with the report, he also submits a memo stating cases where the advice of the commission was not accepted, including the reasons for non-acceptance.

To complete UPSC Polity Notes, Click Here

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