UPSC Marks Its 100th Year: Know About the Institution, Its History, Functions & Significance

In contemporary times, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has become a constitutional body with its members being appointed by the President of India. The journey of UPSC from being Public Service Commission in 1926 to UPSC in 2026 has been incredible. The demand for a Public Service Commission was there for many years with the first formal demand being taken into consideration in 1855, when the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination was conducted in London. The demand was made strong by the nationalist forces to include more Indians in the Indian Civil Services, which was at that time a very miniscule number (78 Indians out of 1255 Officers). Therefore, the Government of India Act 1919 provided for a Public Service Commission.

Journey of UPSC From 1926 to 2026

After the Government of India Act,1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) was introduced, the ICS examination was held for the very first time in India in 1922 at Allahabad as well as London.

• 1928: The exam centre moved to Delhi from Allahabad.
• 1924: The Lee Commission suggested the immediate establishment of a statutory Public Service Commission.
• 1935-37: Government of India Act,1935 reconstituted the Public Service Commission as Federal Public Service Commission with effect from 01 April 1937.
• 1940: Indians outnumbered Europeans in the ICS.
• 1947: Shri H.K. Kriplani became the first Indian Chairman and after independence, the first ICS exam was conducted in December, where ICS turned into IAS.
• 1950: Transitioning of Federal Public Service Commission into Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950. Its first Chairman was Shri R.N. Banerjee.
• 1976-79: Kothari Reforms suggested the introduction of three stages int the recruitment process- Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
• 2011-2013: CSAT was introduced in 2011 as a qualifying paper.
• 2026: UPSC is now an established independent constitutional body.

Constitutional Mandate of UPSC

The Indian Constitution provides constitutional mandate to the UPSC under Article 315 to 323.

• Article 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States.

• Article 316: Appointment and term of office of members.

• Article 317: Removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission.

• Article 318: Power to make regulations as to conditions of service of members and staff of the Commission.

• Article 319: Prohibition as to the holding of offices by members of Commission on ceasing to be such members.

• Article 320: Functions of Public Service Commissions.

• Article 321: Power to extend functions of Public Service Commissions.

• Article 322: Expenses of Public Service Commissions.

• Article 323: Reports of Public Service Commissions.

Functions of UPSC

The UPSC performs various functions and these are mentioned under Article 312 of the Constitution:

• Conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.

• Direct recruitment by selection through interviews.

• Appointment of officers on promotion / deputation / absorption.

• Framing and amendment of Recruitment Rules for various services and posts under the Government.

• Disciplinary cases relating to different Civil Services.

• Advising the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.