Union Public Service Commission – Indian Polity Notes
June 29, 2015
Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions[Indian Polity Notes for UPSC, SSC etc. ] :
This Article discusses the Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions provided by the Indian Constitution. The Article lists the composition of UPSC and SPSC, removal method of the members, functions of UPSC and SPSCs etc. UPSC and SPSCs are independent constitutional bodies as they are provided by the Indian Constitution under Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV.
Contents
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):
It is the central recruiting agency in India.
It is a Constitutional body provided by the Indian Constitution under Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV.
It is an independent body.
Composition of UPSC:
The UPSC consists of a chairman and other members.
Appointment: The President of India appoints the chairman and all the other members of UPSC.
The constitution does not specifythe strength of UPSC. Usually there are 9 to 11 members in UPSC including the chairman.
The constitution also does not specify the qualifications of the members except the requirement that atleast half of the members should have worked under Central or state Government for atleast 10 years.
Term of members: The chairman and members hold office for a term of 6 years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
UPSC members can also resign before expiry of the term by addressing their resignation to the President.
Removal of the members of UPSC:
The President can remove the chairman or the members of the commission under following circumstances:
If he is adjudged an insolvent( i.e. he has gone bankrupt).
if he engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the duties of his office
If, in the opinion of President, he is unfit to continue in office due by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
In addition, the President can also remove chairman or member for the reason of misbehaviour. But in this case, The President has to refer the case to Supreme court. If supreme court advises the president for the removal, only then the President can remove the UPSC chairman or any member.
Functions of UPSC:
conducts examination for all india services.
serves the need of a state on request of Governor of that state.
consulted on all the matters related to the recruitment, appointments and promotions to civil services.
consulted on all the disciplinary matters in the civil services.
It presents an annual report to the President on its performance. The President places this report before both the Houses of Parliament.
State Public Service Commission (SPSC):
Just like UPSC at the centre, there is a SPSC in a state.
Just like UPSC, it is also a Constitutional body provided by the Indian Constitution under Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV.
It is also an independent body.
Composition of SPSC:
The SPSC also consists of a chairman and other members.
Appointment: The Governor of the state appoints the chairman and all the other members of SPSC.
The constitution does not specify the strength of SPSC. It is left to the discretion of the Governor of the state.
The constitution also does not specify the qualifications of the members except the requirement that atleast half of the members should have worked under Central or state Government for atleast 10 years.
Term of members: The chairman and members hold office for a term of 6 years or until the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier.[ in case of UPSC the max. age limit is 65]
SPSC members can also resign before expiry of the term by addressing their resignation to the Governor.
Removal of the members of SPSC:
Although they are appointed by the Governor but they can be removed by the President of India only.
They can also be removed on the same grounds as the Chairman or any member of UPSC is removed (as discussed above).
Functions of UPSC:
A SPSC performs all those functions with respect to state services as performed by UPSC in case of central services.
It presents an annual report to the Governor of the state on its performance. The Governor places this report before the state Legislature.
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