Union Public Service Commission
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body in India authorized to conduct examinations for appointment to the various civil services of the Union. The Indian Constitution (Part XIV - Services Under the Union and the states - article no. 315 to 323) provides for a Public Service Commission for the union and a Public Service Commission for each state. The first Public Service Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926 by the then British Indian Government in response to the demands of Indian politicians that the superior Civil Services be Indianized. The functions of this Public Service Commission were largely advisory and, because of this limitation, it failed to satisfy the demands of Indian political parties associated with the struggle for freedom. The British Indian government then set up a Federal Public Service Commission and provided for the formation of provincial level Public Service Commissions under the Government of India Act 1935.
The Union Public Service Commission if requested by the Governor of a State, may, with the approval of the President work for the State.
Members of UPSC
The Chairman and other members of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) are appointed by the President of India. At least half of the members of the Commission are Civil Servants (working or retired) with minimum ten years of experience either in Central or State service.
Every member holds office for a term of six years or until he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.
He can submit his resignation at any time to the President of India. He may be removed from his office by the President of India on the ground of misbehavior (only if an inquiry of such misbehavior is made and upheld by Supreme Court) or if he is adjudged insolvent, or engages during his term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his office, or in the opinion of the President unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
As of September 2008, the commission is headed by Professor D.P. Agrawal, who held the post of Director, Indian Institute of Information technology & Management, Gwalior. In addition to the chairman there are ten other members.
Functions
Functions of the UPSC are to conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.
1. Recruitment to services & posts under the Union through conduct of competitive examinations. This is the regular mode of recruitment where an examination is conducted followed by an interview. The annual list of competitive exams is:
2. Recruitment to services & posts under the Central Government by direct selection This type of recruitment is done to fill immediate/ irregular job vacancies. It is general done through direct interviews, but sometimes, a written test is conducted preceeding the interview.
3. Advising on the suitability of officers for appointment on promotion as well as transfer-on-deputation
4. Advising the Government on all matters relating to methods of Recruitment to various services and posts
5. Disciplinary cases relating to different civil services and
6. Miscellaneous matters relating to grant of extra ordinary pensions, reimbursement of legal expenses etc. ..
Recruitment Rules
In accordance with the provisions contained in Article 320 of the Constitution read with the provisions of Union Public Service Commission (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations 1958, Recruitment Rules of all Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B" posts in various Ministries/Departments of Government of India are required to be framed in Consultation with the Commission. Consultation with the Commission is also necessary for framing/amending Recruitment Rules for certain categories of posts under the Employees State Insurance Corporation, The Delhi Municipal Corporation, The New Delhi Municipal Council, Employees Provident Fund Organisation etc. under the relevant Acts made by Parliament in pursuance of the provisions of Article 321.
Mode of Fee Payment
The fees for the recruitment process is collected in the form of CRF (Central Recruitment Fee Stamp). For the service examinations, the fee is Rs.100 and for direct recruitment, the fee is Rs.50.
Reports
The UPSC annually submits a report of its work to the President of India. Further it is sent to each house of Parliament for discussion.