Source: PIB
Context: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will mark its centenary year from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026, celebrating 100 years of transparent, merit-based recruitment for India’s civil services.
About UPSC Marking 100 Years of Commitment to Merit and Public Service:
- What it is?
- The UPSC is India’s premier constitutional authority for recruiting top-level government officers through a fair, competitive examination process.
- Established in: 1 October 1926, following the recommendations of the Lee Commission (1924) and provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919.
- Objective:
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- Ensure meritocracy and fairness in public service recruitment.
- Select candidates through rigorous, impartial, and transparent examinations and interviews.
- Maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence in public administration.
Historical Evolution of Civil Services in India
- Pre-1854 – Patronage System
- East India Company civil servants were nominated, trained at Haileybury College (London), and sent to India.
- 1854 – Macaulay Reforms
- Introduction of competitive exams for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) held in London (from 1855).
- First Indian to succeed: Satyendranath Tagore (1864).
- 1922 – Exams in India
- Civil Service exams began in Allahabad and later Delhi, alongside London exams.
- 1926 – Public Service Commission Established
- First Chairman: Sir Ross Barker.
- Initially had 4 members + chairman and functions under Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, 1926.
- 1937 – Federal Public Service Commission
- Created under Government of India Act, 1935 for the Federation of India.
- 1950 – Union Public Service Commission
- Came into existence with the Constitution of India; powers defined in Articles 315–323.
