UPSC Completes 100 Years: From Public Service Commission in 1926 to Constitutional Body

The Union Public Service Commission will complete its 100th year in India on 1 October 2026, which will be a century of the establishment of the first Indian Public Service Commission in 1926. The organization started off as an advisory commission through the Government of India Act, 1919 structure and developed into the Federal Public Service Commission and finally became the UPSC after the implementation of the Constitution in 1950. Currently, the organization is a constitutional body with powers from Articles 315 to 323.

From the 1926 Public Service Commission to UPSC

The beginning of the merit system for recruiting members of the civil service in India can be traced back to the ICS (Indian Civil Service) examination of 1855 that replaced nomination with open competitive selection process. The examinations used to take place in London, causing great difficulties for Indians to participate in them.

Under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919, a Public Service Commission was to be established. A report was prepared by the Lee Commission, headed by Lord Lee, to establish a Public Service Commission in 1924. As a result, the first Public Service Commission was established on 1 October 1926, consisting of the Chairman Sir Ross Barker and Four Members.

The Government of India Act of 1935 made provisions for a Federal Public Service Commission and Provincial Public Service Commissions. The Federal Public Service Commission started operating in 1937. After India gained independence, it became the Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950, obtaining constitutional status under the Constitution of India.

Constitutional Provisions Governing UPSC and Articles 315-323

The articles governing the Public Service Commissions are provided in Part XIV, Chapter II, Articles 315-323.

Article	Provision
315	Public Service Commissions for the Union and States
316	Appointment and tenure of office of Chairman and Members
317	Removal and suspension of Members
318	Regulations with respect to conditions of service
319	Restrictions on holding other offices in case of members
320	Function of Public Service Commissions
321	Extension of function
322	Expenditure of Public Service Commissions
323	Reports of the Commissions

Article 320 deals specifically with the functions of the commissions like conducting exams for appointments to Union services and advising on recruitment, promotions, disciplining and other service matters.

What Does UPSC Do?

UPSC acts as both a recruiting agency and advisory body. The examinations that it conducts relate to several significant Union services and posts. It is also engaged in direct recruitment through interviews and recruitment tests.

It has the following functions,

Conducts examinations for recruitment to Union services.
Direct recruitment through selection and interviews.
Advice on appointments through promotion, deputation and absorption.
Preparation and amendment of Recruitment Rules.
Advice on disciplinary action involving civil services.
Advice to the Government on matters referred to the Commission under Article 320.

The examinations conducted by UPSC include the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, NDA & NA Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination.

Major Milestones in the 100-Year Journey

The evolution of UPSC has closely followed changes in India’s administrative and constitutional system.

Year	Major milestone
1926	Formation of the first Public Service Commission
1935	The Government of India Act created the Federal and Provincial Public Service Commissions
1937	Public Service Commission became Federal Public Service Commission
1947	H.K. Kripalani became the first Indian Chairperson
1950	Federal Public Service Commission became the UPSC
1951	All India Services Act came into the effect
1966	Indian Forest Service formed as the third All India Service
1979	Introduction of three-tier Civil Service Examination
1992	Rose Millian Bathew Kharbuli became the first female Chairperson
2000	Introduction of Online Recruitment Application process
2011	Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) introduced
2015	CSAT made a qualifying paper with 33% qualifying marks
2021	Women admitted to the NDA & NA Examination for the first time
2025	Universal Registration Number introduced on the revamped application portal
2026	UPSC marks its centenary year

The three-stage Civil Services Examination structure—Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview was introduced in 1979 following recommendations associated with the D.S. Kothari Committee.

Modernisation and Inclusivity of UPSC

The Commission has developed its infrastructure and incorporated the use of technology over time. The examination process of the Commission has evolved from the traditional paper-based system to the online application and computer-based recruitment tests and processes.

The recent initiatives of UPSC include the introduction of Universal Registration Number, randomisation of interview boards, candidate helpdesk, new examination centers, and online representations of the question paper. As per the centenary report published by Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Commission also increased the scale of AI-based facial authentication process of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination in 2026.

The Commission has also increased inclusivity for various categories. The data of the Commission indicates a significant rise in the representation of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities among the recommended candidates.