Preeti Sudan :2nd Woman to be appointed Chairperson of UPSC

President of India Droupadi Murmu has appointed Preeti Sudan, a 1983 batch IAS officer and former Union Health Secretary, as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 31 July 2024. She will replace Dr Manoj Soni, who resigned earlier this month.

Preeti Sudan is the second woman to be appointed as the  Chairperson of the UPSC after  Mrs. R.M.Bathew (Kharbuli)(1992-96).

About IAS Preeti Sudan 

1983 batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer Preeti Sudan has held key positions in the Central government’s Department of Food and Public Distribution, the ministries of Women and Child Development and Defence. 

Preeti Sudan has also played a crucial role in central government programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao, and Beti Padhao, and significant legislations like the National Medical Commission and the ban on e-cigarettes.

Term of Preeti Sudan office 

• The Chairperson or a member of the UPSC holds office for six years or until they reach age 65, whichever is earlier. 
• They can resign from their post by submitting their resignation to the President of India.
• The President can remove the Chairperson/member of the UPSC after a report of the Supreme Court which finds them guilty of misbehaviour.

About UPSC

• The Union Public Service Commission is an Independent constitutional body that came into existence on 26 January 1950 under the provisions of Article 378(1) of the Constitution.
• The first Chairman of the UPSC was R.N Banerjee.
• The constitution mentions that the UPSC will consist of a chairperson and other members.
• The president of India has the power to decide the number of members of the UPSC.

Functions of the UPSC 

The Constitution provides that the central government will consult the  Union Public Service Commission on the following;

• methods of recruitment to central government civil services and for civil posts, 
• transfers from one service to another and promotion,
• disciplinary matters related to a central government employee,
• making rules or changing rules related to recruitment for various services and posts under the Government.

It also conducts various exams and interviews for appointment to the services of the government of India.

It advises the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.