UPSC Completes 100 Years Since Its Founding in 1926
Why in the news
The Union Public Service Commission completed 100 years on 1 October 2025. The body was set up on 1 October 1926 and still runs merit-based recruitment to the civil services.
Key facts
- Founded: 1 October 1926 as the Public Service Commission, with Sir Ross Barker as its first Chairman.
- Origin: It followed the Lee Commission (Royal Commission on Superior Civil Services, 1923-24) recommendations, after the 1919 reforms allowed such a body.
- Renaming: The Government of India Act, 1935 made it the Federal Public Service Commission; after independence it became UPSC.
- Constitutional status: from 26 January 1950 under Article 315.
| Stage | Name / provision |
|---|---|
| 1926 | Public Service Commission |
| 1935 | Federal Public Service Commission |
| 1950 | Union Public Service Commission (Article 315) |
About UPSC
UPSC is an independent constitutional body that recruits officers for the All-India Services and Central Civil Services through fair, impartial examinations. Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV, Chapter II cover it. Article 316 provides for appointment of the Chairman and members by the President, and Article 320 lists its duties, including conducting examinations and being consulted on recruitment methods and disciplinary matters. Its office is at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi, and Ajay Kumar has been Chairman since 15 May 2025. It also launched the PRATIBHA Setu initiative, a digital repository linking candidates who cleared the interview but were not selected with public and private employers.
Exam angle
- Remember the sequence: 1926 Public Service Commission, 1935 Federal PSC, 1950 UPSC.
- Link Article 315 with UPSC and Article 316 with appointment of members.
- Sir Ross Barker as first Chairman is a favourite static question.