The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will complete one hundred years on 1 October 2026. Established on 1 October 1926 as an advisory body during British rule, the Commission has evolved into an independent constitutional institution responsible for recruiting India’s civil services and advising the government on matters of appointment, promotion and discipline.
The centenary marks a significant milestone in the history of merit-based public service recruitment in India. From its origins in the colonial era, when entry examinations were held only in London, the Commission has grown to conduct multiple examinations annually across 86 centres, attracting over 45 lakh applications and processing thousands of officers for promotion and induction.
Key facts
- UPSC established: 1 October 1926 under the Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules
- Constitutional status acquired: 26 January 1950, when it became the Union Public Service Commission
- Examination centres: expanded from 8 in 1950 to 86 in 2026
- Applications received: grown from 42,727 in 1950-51 to 45,10,044 in 2022-23
- Women recommended in Civil Services Examination: 299 of 958 in 2025, compared to 3 of 83 in 1952
- SC candidates recommended: 158 in 2025, compared to 9 in 1955
- ST candidates recommended: 73 in 2025, compared to 2 in 1956-57
- In 2023-24, the Commission processed 24,581 officer records for promotion and inducted 532 into All India Services
- First woman Chairperson: Rose Millian Bathew Kharbuli in 1992
- Women admitted to NDA and NA Examination: first time in 2021
From colonial meritocracy to constitutional independence
The principle of merit-based recruitment into public service took formal shape in 1855 with the institution of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in London. However, the examination favoured candidates educated in the British system, with papers in Greek and Latin irrelevant to governing Indian districts but designed to exclude Indian participation. The examination was conducted only in London and in English.
Despite these barriers, Indian candidates began to succeed. Satyendranath Tagore, elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, became the first Indian in the ICS when he cleared the examination in 1863. However, by 1919, only 78 of 1,255 ICS officers were Indian, as the maximum age for the examination was progressively reduced from 23 to 19, leaving Indian candidates little time to prepare.
Sustained nationalist demands brought gradual change. The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission. In 1922, the ICS examination was held in India for the first time, at Allahabad, alongside London. The Lee Commission in 1924 recommended immediate establishment of a statutory Public Service Commission in India.
The Commission was formally constituted on 1 October 1926 under the Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, framed under the 1919 Act. Its first Chairman was Sir Ross Barker, a member of the British Home Civil Service, assisted by four Members. The Commission was housed at Metcalfe House, Delhi. Limited powers and sustained criticism from freedom movement leaders characterised this early phase.
Constitutional mandate and independence
When India adopted its Constitution on 26 January 1950, the UPSC became a fully independent constitutional body. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, moved draft articles on the Union and State Public Service Commissions in the Constituent Assembly, which became Part XIV (Articles 315–323) of the Constitution.
The Constitution vested the UPSC with several powers. The President appoints the Chairman and Members. A Member can be removed or suspended only by the President’s order, after an inquiry by the Supreme Court. The Commission conducts examinations for appointment to services of the Union and advises the government on recruitment methods, promotions and disciplinary matters. Its expenses are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India. The Commission must submit an annual report to the President, with details of cases where its advice was not accepted.
Scale and scope of operations
The UPSC now conducts multiple examinations annually. In 2023-24, it conducted 15 examinations attracting 33,51,916 applications and handled 233 requisitions for 4,411 posts under recruitment by selection, receiving 11,58,128 applications. Key examinations include the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, Combined Medical Services, National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examinations, Combined Defence Services, and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) examinations.
Beyond recruitment, the Commission advises government on recruitment rules, processes records for departmental promotions, oversees induction into All India Services and handles disciplinary cases. Since 2012-13, it has also empanelled senior police officers for appointment as Director General of Police in states, following a Supreme Court order.
Inclusion and modernisation
The Commission’s operations have become increasingly inclusive and transparent over the decades. Women representation in Civil Services Examination recommendations increased from 3.6 per cent in 1952 to 31.2 per cent in 2025. SC candidate recommendations grew from 9 in 1955 to 158 in 2025. ST candidate recommendations rose from 2 in 1956-57 to 73 in 2025. Persons with Disabilities recommended in the Civil Services Examination increased from 3 in 2002 to 42 in 2025.
The Commission introduced Indian language options for candidates in 1980-81. It also modernised its procedures through the adoption of computers in 1978, Optical Mark Recognition technology in 1989, and an online recruitment application system from 1999-2000 onwards. In 2011, it introduced the Civil Services Aptitude Test and a Single Window System for application submission. A Query-Based Marks Information System was established in 2018, and a dedicated control room for year-round examination monitoring was set up in 2019.
What this means for you
For civil service aspirants, the UPSC centenary underscores the Commission’s commitment to merit-based recruitment. The expansion of examination centres to 86, provision for Indian languages at interviews, and extended age limits reflect growing accessibility. Women, SC, ST and persons with disabilities candidates have greater representation than ever before, though competition remains intense with applications numbering in the millions.
For serving officers, the Commission’s role in processing promotions and advising on disciplinary matters remains central to career progression in government services. The induction of 532 officers into All India Services in 2023-24 demonstrates the Commission’s ongoing contribution to staffing India’s senior civil services.