Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Articles 315 to 323 of the constitution of India of its part 14 deal elaborately with the provisions about the composition, appointment and removal of member along with the functions, powers and independence of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It Functions as the central recruiting agency in India. As it has been created directly by the constitution itself, it is considered as an independent constitutional body.

Structure of UPSC – Union Public Service Commission

Appointment and Removal

The Union Public Service Commission consists of a chairman and other members who are appointed by the President of India. The Constitution has not specified the strength of the commission. Its composition has been left to the discretion of the President to determine.

The UPSC usually consists of 9 to 11 members including its chairman. It has been provided in the constitution that ‘one- half of the members of the commission should be such parsons who have held office for at least ten years under either the Government of India or under the Government of the state’ (Clause one Article 316). It is up to the president to determined the conditions of service of the members of the commission.

According to Clause 1A of Article 316 of the constitution, ‘if the office of the chairman of the commission becomes vacant or if any such chairman is by reasons of absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office,…. those duties shall be performed by such one of the other members of the commission as the President may appoint for the purpose.’

According to clause 2 or the article 316, the Chairman and members can hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 tears, whichever is earlier. However, the Chairman and the members can quit their offices at any time by addressing their resignation to the President.

According to clause 1 of Article 317, the Chairman and any other member of the commission can be removed from his office by the order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour. But the President, in this case, at first has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court.

If the Supreme Court, after conducting the inquiry with the procedure prescribed under Article 145, upholds the cause the removal and advice so, then the President can order the removal of the Chairman and any other member of the commission. The constitution has clearly established that the advice of the Supreme Court is binding on the President. However, the President can suspend the Chairman or any other members of the commission even during the course of enquiry by the Supreme Court.

Also Read: Civil Services of India

According to clause 3 Article 317, the president can also order the removal of the Chairman or any other member of the commission from his office under the following conditions:

(a) If he is adjudged an insolvent (that is, ‘has become bankrupt’)

(b) If he engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the duties of his office, or

(c) If he ‘is, in the opinion of the president, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.’

Defining the term ‘misbehaviour’ the constitution states that is slapped on the face by another, it is a case of misbehaviour under Article 317 (1) and renders the latter member liable to be removal.

To safeguard and ensure the independent and impartial functioning of the commission, the constitution has made following provisions:

(a) The Chairman or any other members of the commission can be removed by the President only in the manner Prescribed in the constitution. Therefore, it can be said that they enjoy security of tenure.

(b) Although the President determines the conditions of service of the Chairman or a member, these conditions cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment (Article 318).

(c) The entire expenses including allowance, salaries and pensions of the Chairman and members of the commission are not subject to vote of Parliament. They are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

(d) The Chairman of the Commission (on ceasing to hold office), according to Article 319, shall be ineligible for further employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a state.

(e) A member (on ceasing to hold office) except the Chairman of the commission is eligible for  appointment as the chairman of the commission or a State Public Service Commission (SPSC), but not for any other employment either in the Government of India Or in the Government of a state (Article 319).

(f) The Chairman or a member of the commission, after completing his first term, becomes ineligible for reappointment to that office.

Functions of UPSC

According to the Article 320 of the constitution the commission performs the following functions:

(a) It is the duty of the UPSC to conduct examination for appointments to the services of the Union and the services of the State respectively.

(b) It is also the duty of the commission (If requested by two or more states to do so) to help state in framing  and operating schemes of joint recruitment for any service for which candidates possessing special qualifications are required.

(c) The commission is consulted on the following matters:

(1) All matters relating to methods of recruitment of civil services and for civil posts.

(2) The principles to be followed in making appointments to civil services and posts and in making promotions and transfers from one service to another and on the suitability of candidates for such appointments, promotions or transfers.

(3) All disciplinary matters affecting a person serving under the government of India in a civil capacity including memorials or positions relating to such matter. These consist of:

– Compulsory retirement

– Withholding of increments

-Dismissal from service

– Reduction to lower service or rank (Demotion)

-Censure (severe disapproval)

-Removal from service

– Withholding of promotions

-Dismissal from service

– Recovery of pecuniary loss.

(The distinction between ‘Removal’ and ‘Dismissal’ is that a dismissed candidate disqualifies for the future employment under the Government whereas the removed candidate does not disqualify for the same.)

(4) Any claim for compensation of legal expenses incurred by a civil servant in defending legal proceedings instituted against him in respect of act done in the execution of his official duties.

(5) Any claim for the award of a pension in respect of injuries sustained by a person while serving under the Government of India and question as to the amount of any such award.

It is the duty of the Union Public service Commission to advise on any matter referred to them by the President. All regulations made, and is to be subjected to such modifications whether by way of repeal or amendment as both Houses of Parliament may make during the session in which they are so laid.

In one of its important decision the Supreme Court in 1992, has held ‘If before the selection is held, the Government withdraws its requisition from the Public Service Commission, neither the candidate nor the UPSC itself can insist on continuing the process of selection.

The constitution describes that the President, in respect to the All-India Services and Central Services and posts may make regulations specifying the matters, in which it shall not be necessary for the UPSC to be consulted.

The matters on which the Commission (UPSC) is not consulted are:

(a) Reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class

(b) Considering the claims of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in making appointments to services and posts.

(c) On the selection for Chairmanship or membership of commissions or tribunals, posts of the highest diplomatic nature and a bulk of group C and group d services.

(d) On the selection for temporary or officiating appointment to a post if the appointed person is not likely to held the post for more than a year.

Article 322 of the constitution states that the Parliament can make an Act relating to the services of the union and also relating to the services of any local authority or other body corporate constituted by law or of any public institutions.

Article 323 of the Constitution, that deals with the expenses of the Commission, states that ‘The expenses of the Union Public Service Commission shall be charged on the consolidated Fund of India.’

Article 323 or the Constitution, that deals with reports of the Commission states that ‘It shall be the duty of the Union Commission to present annually to the President a report.’ Then it is the duty of the President to place the report before both the Houses of Parliament, along with a memorandum ‘explaining the cases where the advice of the Commission was not accepted and reasons for such non-acceptance. It can be ascertained lastly that the role of the Commission is not only limited, but also recommendations made by it are not mandatory but are only of advisory nature, and, therefore, not binding on the Government. The Government has final authority to accept or reject that advice. The Government can also make rules which regulate the scope of the advisory functions of the Commission. Such rules are named as the UPSC (Exemption from consultation) Regulation.

The emanation of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 1964 influenced the role of the Commission in disciplinary matters. Because the Government consults both agencies while taking disciplinary action against a civil servant. However, the Commission, as an independent constitutional body, has an edge over the CVC. CVC was created by an executive resolution of the Government and conferred a statutory status in October 2003.