100 Years of UPSC: PM Modi Marks Centenary Celebrations, Manthan at Delhi

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years on 1 October 2026. To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary programme at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, at 11 AM and addressed the gathering. It is the final event of year-long celebrations that began on 1 October 2025.

The UPSC held a two-day programme on 30 September and 1 October. The first day featured "Shatabdi Samaroh - Manthan", with talks by eminent speakers and panel discussions on different themes. Members of State Public Service Commissions, senior government officers and academicians took part.

PM to Release a Commemorative Coin and Stamp Marking UPSC Centenary

At the event, the Prime Minister will release three items:

• A UPSC Centenary Commemorative Coin
• A Commemorative Stamp
• A book titled 100 Landmark Judgements - Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India

From Colonial Examination to Public Service Commission

India's first Public Service Commission was set up on 1 October 1926. At that time, it was only an advisory body, and the Secretary of State in London appointed its Chairman and Members. Over the next hundred years, it grew into an independent constitutional body.

The Road to 1926: Colonial Origins and Indianisation of the Civil Service

In 1855, the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exam began in London. It replaced the East India Company's nomination system with open competition. However, the exam was held only in London, in English, and included subjects like Greek and Latin, which favoured British-educated candidates.

Satyendranath Tagore, elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, cleared the exam in 1863 and became the first Indian in the ICS. The maximum age for the exam was later reduced from 23 to 19, which made it harder for Indians. By 1919, only 78 of 1,255 ICS officers were Indian.

Nationalist demands slowly changed things:

• The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for a Public Service Commission.
• In 1922, the ICS exam was held in India for the first time, at Allahabad.
• The Lee Commission (1924) recommended a statutory Public Service Commission.
• The Commission began work in 1926 under Sir Ross Barker, its first Chairman, and was housed at Metcalfe House, Delhi.

Its powers were limited, but it was a permanent recruiting body based in India. This is why the UPSC counts its history from 1926.

Constitutional Mandate: Part XIV (Articles 315-323)

On 22 August 1949, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar moved the draft articles on Public Service Commissions in the Constituent Assembly. They became Part XIV of the Constitution. Dr. Rajendra Prasad stressed that these bodies must be independent to prevent nepotism and favouritism.

Key provisions:

• Article 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and States
• Article 316: Chairman and Members appointed by the President
• Article 317: Removal of a Member only by the President, after a Supreme Court inquiry
• Article 320: Functions such as conducting exams and advising on recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters
• Article 322: Expenses charged on the Consolidated Fund of India
• Article 323: Annual report to the President, to be laid before Parliament

Key Historical Milestones (1926-2026) of 100 Years of UPSC

• 1935: Government of India Act provides for Federal and Provincial PSCs.
• 1937: Renamed the Federal Public Service Commission.
• 1947: H.K. Kripalani becomes the first Indian Chairman. The ICS gives way to the IAS.
• 1950: Becomes the Union Public Service Commission on 26 January.
• 1966: Indian Forest Service becomes the third All India Service.
• 1979: Three-stage exam (Prelims, Mains, Interview) introduced.
• 1992: Rose Millian Bathew Kharbuli becomes the first woman Chairperson.
• 2011: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) introduced.
• 2013: Mains restructured with four General Studies papers.
• 2021: Women admitted to the NDA and Naval Academy exam for the first time.

UPSC Then and Now (1926-2026)

The Commission's work has grown enormously. Applications rose from 42,727 in 1950-51 to over 45 lakh in 2022-23. Exam centres increased from 8 in 1950 to 86 in 2026. Women made up 3.6% of those recommended in 1952, compared with 31.2% in CSE 2025.

UPSC Today

The Commission is headed by Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar, who took charge on 15 May 2025. Recent reforms include a Universal Registration Number, randomised interview boards and the Pratibha Setu portal, which connects near-miss candidates with employers.