- Why in news
- On 1 October 2026, PM Narendra Modi took part in the UPSC centenary celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He released a commemorative stamp, a special coin and a compilation of 100 case laws, and urged reform of recruitment.
- What it is
- The Union Public Service Commission is the central agency that conducts recruitment to the All-India and Central Services. It is a constitutional body under Part XIV, Articles 315-323. Its origin lies in the Public Service Commission set up in 1926 under British rule, which became the UPSC after independence.
- Constitutional basis
- Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States. The UPSC is therefore a constitutional body.
- Members' removal
- The Chairman and members are appointed by the President. They can be removed only by the President, on a Supreme Court inquiry finding misbehaviour, or on certain other grounds (Article 317).
- Tenure
- Members hold office for six years or until age 65, whichever is earlier.
- Women's share
- The PM said women in civil services rose from about 3 percent in 1952 to over 30 percent now.
- Core values
- The PM named independence, impartiality, merit, confidentiality and fair processes as the values that must stay.
Don’t confuse with UPSC vs SSC: UPSC is a constitutional body for All-India and Group A/B gazetted recruitment. The Staff Selection Commission is an executive body that fills many other central posts.
Don’t confuse with UPSC vs State PSC: Articles 315-323 cover both the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions. A State PSC recruits for State services, and its members are appointed by the Governor.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- A merit-based, independent selection body underpins a neutral and professional civil service.
- Selection reforms can align the civil service with future needs such as AI, climate and citizen-centric delivery.
Problems
- Long exam cycles burden aspirants with coaching and living costs, which raises an equity concern.
- Testing motivation and foresight objectively, without lowering fairness or confidentiality, is hard.
Way forward
- Adopt time certainty to shorten exam cycles without lowering standards.
- Share best practices with State commissions and build capacity, for instance through the i-GOT platform under Mission Karmayogi.
Put in your answer
Time certainty as equity reform: The PM argued that shorter exam cycles reduce the cost to families of coaching, rent and transport, making this a fairness issue.
i-GOT platform: The PM suggested using the i-GOT platform under Mission Karmayogi for capacity building of selection commissions.
Rise in exam takers: The PM noted a 45-fold rise in exam takers since the 50th anniversary in 1976.
- 2017Mains GS2 · Q18Should civil services be drastically reformed for neutrality and effectiveness?
- 2019Mains GS4 · Q10Relationship between political and permanent executive; mutual respect and cooperation.
- 2007Prelims Q41Which pair about a former UPSC chairman is incorrectly matched?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: UPSC is a constitutional body on the syllabus; the release is a speech with no decision, so no question.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.