Why in news?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will celebrate its centenary year from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. Plans to commemorate the event were announced in August 2025.
What is UPSC?
The UPSC is India’s premier recruiting agency for higher civil services. It conducts competitive examinations and interviews to select candidates based on merit for posts in the Union Government.
A brief history
- Pre‑1854: Appointments to the East India Company’s civil service were based on patronage. Training occurred at Haileybury College in London.
- Macaulay reforms (1854): Introduced competitive exams held in London; Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to qualify in 1864.
- 1922: Examinations began to be held in India (Allahabad and later Delhi).
- 1926: Public Service Commission established under the Government of India Act 1919; Sir Ross Barker was its first chairman.
- 1950: With India’s Constitution, it became the Union Public Service Commission, with its functions defined in Articles 315–323.
Role and objectives
- Ensure merit and fairness in the selection of civil servants.
- Conduct examinations and interviews transparently and impartially.
- Maintain high standards of integrity and competence in public administration.
Importance of the centenary
The centenary celebrates a century of merit‑based recruitment. It is an opportunity to reflect on past reforms, strengthen processes and reaffirm the UPSC’s commitment to impartiality and excellence in public service.
