On October 1, 2025, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years, marking a century of upholding merit-based recruitment and strengthening the backbone of India’s governance. From its colonial origins to its modern digital evolution, the UPSC has grown into a symbol of trust, transparency, and integrity, administering some of the world’s most challenging and prestigious examinations. This centenary is not just a historical milestone—it is a tribute to the vision of India’s constitutional makers who dreamed of an impartial institution that would serve as the guardian of civil service excellence.
Tracing UPSC’s Evolution: From Colonial Roots to Constitutional Authority
- The idea of an independent civil service body dates back to the Government of India Act, 1919, which proposed a neutral commission for recruiting top civil servants.
- Following the Lee Commission’s recommendations in 1924, the Public Service Commission was formally established in October 1926 under Sir Ross Barker.
- Originally limited in authority and functioning under colonial scrutiny, it was reconstituted as the Federal Public Service Commission in 1935, under the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Post-Independence, the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950 gave rise to the UPSC, in its current form, with constitutional status under Articles 315 to 323.
- Over the decades, its mandate expanded beyond civil services to include examinations for engineering, forest, medical, and statistical services, ensuring administrative competency across India’s governance architecture.
A Pillar of Trust and Fairness in a Diverse Democracy
What makes the UPSC exceptional is its unwavering commitment to impartiality, a rare feat in a country as diverse and unequal as India. Millions of aspirants from urban, rural, and tribal areas approach UPSC exams with confidence, knowing that success is based solely on merit, not connections, geography, or privilege.
This institutional integrity is safeguarded by,
- Anonymous evaluation systems
- Strict anti-malpractice protocols
- Equal opportunity for regional languages (22 Constitution-recognized languages)
- Special arrangements for differently-abled candidates
- The UPSC has truly become a “level playing field” for all Indians—a proud pillar of democratic equity and opportunity.
Making the Indian Dream Possible
- Over time, the UPSC has shed its image of being an elite urban gateway. Today, it welcomes aspirants from every Indian district, including remote villages and underprivileged communities.
- With over 10 lakh candidates applying annually for the preliminary civil services exam, it reflects the scale of ambition that the Indian youth holds.
- Aspirants not only compete in one of the world’s most complex exams, but also represent a wide spectrum of disciplines, choosing from 48 optional subjects and engaging in multi-stage evaluations.
- This blend of depth and diversity ensures that India’s bureaucracy is rich in expertise and local representation.
Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes
- Beyond the candidates, the UPSC functions efficiently thanks to an army of paper-setters, evaluators, and administrative staff.
- These experts ensure that the principles of merit and transparency are implemented consistently across every level of recruitment.
- Their silent work forms the institutional memory of the UPSC, where integrity in process equals quality in governance.
- The civil servants selected through these processes have led India through national emergencies, development drives, reforms, and public service delivery, anchoring India’s democratic resilience.
Embracing the Future: Reforms and Innovation
As it enters its second century, the UPSC is adapting to a rapidly digitizing world. Recent innovations include,
- Online application systems
- Face-recognition tools for exam security
- PRATIBHA Setu for digital engagement with candidates
- Future plans for AI-enabled evaluation systems to enhance accuracy and efficiency
- These measures aim to streamline processes, prevent impersonation, and enhance accessibility, while safeguarding the UPSC’s founding values of fairness and impartiality.
Key Takeaways
- UPSC was established in October 1926, on the recommendation of the Lee Commission (1924).
- Became Federal Public Service Commission under the 1935 Act, and UPSC post-1950 Constitution.
- Conducts recruitment for civil, engineering, forest, medical, and statistical services.
- Admits over 10 lakh applicants annually in the civil services preliminary exam.
- Operates in 22 Indian languages and offers 48 optional subjects for mains.