The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an independent constitutional body established under Part XIV of the Constitution of India, covering Article 315 to Article 323. Its origin traces back to the Public Service Commission established on October 1, 1926, following the recommendations of the Lee Commission formed in 1923. It was later reconstituted as the Federal Public Service Commission by the Government of India Act 1935 and was given its current constitutional status on January 26, 1950, to ensure appointments to the civil services were based on merit and competence.
The core mechanism is defined by the Constitution: Article 315 mandates the establishment of the Commission. The Chairman and members are appointed by the President of India and hold office for a term of six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Article 317 provides for the removal of a member by the President only after the Supreme Court conducts an inquiry and upholds the grounds for removal. Article 320 outlines its functions, primarily conducting examinations for appointments to the services of the Union, including the prestigious Civil Services Examination.
The UPSC is the central recruiting agency for the All India Services (like the IAS, IPS, and IFS, which are mentioned in Article 312) and the Central Civil Services. It is connected to the State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs), which operate at the state level under the same constitutional provisions. While the constitutional framework of the UPSC remains unchanged, the process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) has seen recent amendments, such as the introduction of a four-stage online application system and mandatory face authentication at the exam center for the CSE 2026. New rules also impose a "Hard Stop" on further attempts for candidates appointed to the IAS or IFS after the commencement of the Main Examination 2026.