UPSC Completes 100 Years: From 1926 Public Service Commission To Constitutional Body
The Union Public Service Commission completed 100 years on October 1, 2026. From its beginnings as an advisory body in 1926, UPSC evolved into an independent constitutional authority responsible for recruitment to several key government services.
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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years on October 1, 2026, marking a century of its institutional journey in public service recruitment. The Commission traces its origins to October 1, 1926, when India’s first Public Service Commission was established as an advisory body under the Government of India Act, 1919.
Over the decades, the institution underwent several changes in its structure and responsibilities. It became the Federal Public Service Commission in 1937 and was renamed the Union Public Service Commission after the Constitution came into effect in 1950.
UPSC History: From ICS Examination To Public Service Commission
The principle of selecting candidates for public service through competition began taking shape in 1855, when the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination was introduced in London. It replaced the East India Company’s earlier system of nomination with competitive selection.
For Indian aspirants, however, the examination remained difficult to access as it was conducted in London and in English. Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to enter the ICS after clearing the examination in 1863.
The ICS examination was conducted in India for the first time in 1922 at Allahabad, alongside London. The Lee Commission, formed in 1924, later recommended the establishment of a statutory Public Service Commission. The body was eventually constituted in 1926, with Sir Ross Barker as its first chairman.
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UPSC Constitutional Status Under Articles 315 To 323
After Independence, the Commission received a constitutional foundation. The provisions relating to the Union and State Public Service Commissions were incorporated into Part XIV of the Constitution, covering Articles 315 to 323.
Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and states, besides allowing for a Joint Public Service Commission for two or more states.
The constitutional framework also provides safeguards concerning the appointment, tenure and removal of Commission members, supporting its role in recruitment and related service matters.
UPSC Exams And Recruitment
Today, UPSC conducts examinations for several major services and posts, including the Civil Services, Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, Combined Medical Services, NDA and Naval Academy, Combined Defence Services and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants), among others.
As UPSC completes a century, its centenary celebrations have highlighted themes including merit, fairness, transparency, technology and constitutional values.
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Anjali is an education journalist with over a year of experience in digital and business journalism. She has previously worked with BW Businessworld and ANI, where she gained experience in news writing, editing, research, and fact-checking. At Jagran Josh, she writes education news and covers competitive exams and current affairs, with a keen interest in delivering accurate, informative, and reader-focused content. She holds a BA from Miranda House, University of Delhi, and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Anjali enjoys reading and exploring new ideas and perspectives through books.
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