Recently, former CISF Director General Sheel Vardhan Singh was Appointed as a new member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Sheel Vardhan is a 1986 batch IPS officer.

About UPSC

UPSC is a constitutional body established under Articles 315-323 Part XIV Chapter II of the Constitution of India. Its primary function is to discharge duties and obligations assigned under Article 320.

The UPSC is responsible for conducting various examinations in accordance with the Rules of examination as notified by the Government of India.

The objective is to conduct these exams in a just, fair, and impartial manner to select and recommend candidates based on merit for various Group A and Group B Services of the Govt. of India.

Functions

Article 320 of the Constitution of India mandates that the Commission be consulted on all matters related to recruitment to civil services and posts. The functions of the Commission under Article 320 are:

Conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.
Direct recruitment by selection through interviews.
Appointment of officers on promotion/deputation/absorption.
Draft and modify the recruitment regulations for different government services and positions.
Disciplinary cases relating to different Civil Services.
Advising the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.

Dr Manoj Soni is the incumbent Chairman of UPSC.

Appointment of Chairman and Members:

As per Article 316, the President (in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission) and the Governor of the State (in the case of a State Commission) are responsible for appointing the Chairman and other members of a Public Service Commission.

Removal:

According to Article 317, the Chairman or any other member of a Public Service Commission can only be removed from their position by the President if they are found guilty of misbehaviour under Article 145. This can only happen after an inquiry by the Supreme Court, upon reference being made to it by the President for their removal.

Term and Tenure:

The Commission is made up of a Chairman and other members whom the President of India appoints. Typically, the Commission consists of 9 to 11 members, with the Chairman being one of them. Each member serves for six years or until they reach the age of sixty-five, whichever comes first