UPSC Celebrates Centenary Year

Summary of UPSC Constitution and Historical Overview

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was established on October 1, 1926, under the Government of India Act, 1919, and became a constitutional body when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• Its mandate is outlined in Article 320, which defines the functions of Public Service Commissions, primarily to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union and states.
• The UPSC will celebrate its centenary in 2026 and has conducted 15 recruitment exams in 2022-23, with 11 for civil services and 4 for defense services.
• The UPSC has seen a significant increase in participation, with around 10 lakh candidates applying for the Civil Services preliminary exam (C-SAT) each year. In total, 33.51 lakh applications were processed in 2022-23.
• Historical context: The roots of the UPSC trace back to the East India Company’s administrative needs during colonial rule and evolved significantly after the Macaulay Committee of 1854 recommended modern administrative practices.
• The transition from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to the UPSC included major reforms as India moved towards independence.
• Notable figures in its development include H. K. Kripalani, the first Indian head of the FPSC post-independence, and R. N. Banerjee, who oversaw its transformation into the UPSC.
• The examination structure has undergone numerous reforms driven by various commissions, including the Administrative Reforms Commission (1966) and the Alagh Committee (2001), shaping the recruitment processes in contemporary standards.
• The UPSC operates from its headquarters at Dholpur House, a structure transferred from the Raja of Dholpur after Indian Independence.
• The organization has faced challenges regarding integrity and credibility, particularly in light of recent scandals involving malpractice by candidates.

Key Points:

• UPSC Established: October 1, 1926; operated as FPSC until 1950.
• Constitutional Article: Article 320 (functions of Public Service Commissions).
• Current Structure: 15 recruitment exams conducted in 2022-23.
• Application Statistics: 10 lakh candidates for C-SAT; 33.51 lakh total applications in 2022-23.
• Historical Evolution: Evolved structurally under the British administrative system influenced by the Macaulay Committee, ultimately leading to a merit-based recruitment process.
• Reforms: Numerous commissions and panels have influenced UPSC’s recruitment standards over the decades.
• Current Challenges: Integrity issues affecting credibility amidst various malpractices in the UPSC examinations.