Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body of our country whose main job is to conduct various examinations of the Civil Service. Only after this, many posts of civil service are appointed.
It is the premier recruitment agency of the country, due to which recruitment is done in group A and group B parts of All India Services. For appointment, this institute first conducts examinations at the national level. Its jurisdiction is the Republic of India and its headquarters is New Delhi.
At present, Arvind Saxena is its chairman. It was established on 1 October 1926. The UPSC reports directly to the President of the country and is free to take many important decisions. It operates through its own secretariat.
Before independence, the UPSC was known as the Federal Public Service Commission, which was established by the British Government under the Government of India Act, 1935. Apart from the Election Commission and the High Court, the UPSC is the only institution that operates independently.
Part XIV of the Constitution of India refers to the UPSC and all states having their own Public Service Commission in service – article number 315 to 323 under union and state.
Government always takes opinion of UPSC in matters related to appointment, transfer, promotion, disciplinary etc.
Constitutional Status of UPSC
UPSC Members Appointment
The chairman and members of the UPSC are appointed by the President. If for any reason the chair of the chairman becomes vacant, then a member of the panel takes his place till the next appointment.
Half of the panel members are those who have held an office in an area under the Government of India or the State Government for at least ten years.
As per rules and laws, the member assumes office as a member of the UPSC panel for six years. The President decides the rules and regulations of the panel and he also has full authority to change it.
Members or chairman may be removed for the following reasons:
- According to Article 317, if a member of the panel misbehaves, then a committee of inquiry is first set up against him. Then the President removes him after the Supreme Court order.
- If the member is not fit to work.
- During his tenure, he may have been in charge of another paid office.
- He is not playing his role properly.
Current Members of UPSC Panel
- Arvind Saxena (Chairman)
- Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi
- Bhima San Bassi
- Air Marshal AS Bhonsle (Retired)
- Sujata Mehta
- Manoj Soni
- Smita Nagaraj
- Satyavati
Functions of UPSC
The functions of UPSC are as follows:
- To conduct competitive examination for recruitment in many posts and services. It is a regular method of recruitment in which the top contestants are selected after the examination and interview.
- Recruitment of posts under central government by direct recruitment. If too many seats are vacant in a job or not done properly earlier, this method is adopted. In most cases, contestants are selected only after direct interview, but sometimes written test is also taken.
- To give his opinion to the government regarding transfer, nickel, transaction of any officer, promotion etc.
- Give your opinion to the government on everything related to a service or post.
- To look into various cases of discipline related to civil service.
- See matters related to pension, legal matters etc.
Union Public Service Commission Structure
The panel may consist of 11 members including the chairman. Each member is elected for six years and retires at 65.
Its rules and laws are covered under the UPSC (Members) Regulation, 1999. Any member of the panel is free to submit his resignation to the President at any time of his own accord.
If a case is found against him, an inquiry committee will be set up after which the President can also expel him.
According to article 322, members receive salary and other payments from Consolidated Fund of India.
Every year UPSC’s annual report is prepared and submitted to the President. The President puts it before the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, etc.
Secretariat
The UPSC is run by a secretary under which a secretary, four additional secretaries, a number of joint secretaries, sub-secretaries and other employees. For administrative reasons, it has been divided into the following several parts, under which a lot of work is done:
- Administration:looks after the personal matters of the Secretariat as well as the Chairman / Members of the Commission and other officers / employees.
- All India Services: Recruitment in All India Services is done either through direct recruitment, civil service examination or by promotion from State service. The AIS branch handles IAS, IPS and IFS promotion of state service officers. It also handles policy matters related to All India Services and amends the ‘Promotion Regulations’ of related services.
- Appointments:It appoints central services on the basis of promotions (based on proposals from various ministries / departments / union territories and some local bodies) and means of deputation and absorption.
- Examination:It meets the merit-based selection and recommendation of candidates through various examinations for the Group A and Group B services of the Government of India.
- General:Mainly deals with day-to-day housekeeping tasks for the Commission, eg, arrangement and facility for conduct of examinations by UPSC, printing of annual reports.
- Recruitment:This branch performs direct recruitment (out of 3 possible mechanisms: ‘direct recruitment’, ‘recruitment by promotion’ and ‘recruitment by transfer and permanent absorption’) by selection of all Group ‘A’ and some Group ‘B’. . Posts of Union services (including some union territories). These are recruited through selection (interview) or competitive examination.
- Recruitment Rules: TheCommission is compulsory under Art. The 320 Constitution of India, along with the UPSC (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations, 1958, is read to advise on the determination and amendment of recruitment and service rules for various Group A and Group B posts in the Government of India, and Certainly autonomous organizations such as EPFO, ESIC, DJB, NDMC and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (S). This branch carries out this responsibility by facilitating the Ministries / Departments / UT Administrations / Autonomous Organizations in this regard.
