A Century of the UPSC: Guardian of Meritocracy and the Path to Reform
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Constitutional Bodies - Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Articles 315-323; Historical Underpinnings - Government of India Act 1919, Lee Commission).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies; Role of civil services in a democracy.
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration; Probity in Governance.
Key Highlights from the News
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) celebrates its 100th anniversary (October 1). 🇮🇳
Historical Milestones:
Established in 1926 as the Public Service Commission based on the recommendations of the Lee Commission of 1924, and according to the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919.
Became the Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act, 1935.
Transformed into the present-day UPSC with the enactment of the Indian Constitution in 1950.
Trust, integrity, and fairness are the foundational pillars of UPSC.
The Lee Commission observed that such an independent commission is essential to protect the civil services from political influences wherever democratic institutions exist.
The Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC is considered a symbol of the "Indian Dream," opening opportunities for all sections of Indian society.
Recently, UPSC has implemented several reforms:
PRATIBHA Setu: An initiative to help candidates who reached the interview stage but did not make it to the final list find other employment opportunities.
Use of technology: New online application portal, face-recognition technology to prevent impersonation.
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