Union Public Service Commission

• It is the central recruiting agency in India.
  
• It is an independent constitutional body.
  
• Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Constitution deals with the UPSC.
  
• The UPSC chairman and other members appointed by the president of India.
  
• The Commission consists of nine to eleven members including the chairman.
  
• The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term of six years (Retirement age is 65).
  
• The president can remove the chairman and members. He can refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an enquiry. The advice tendered by the Supreme Court in this regard is binding on the president.
  
• It conducts examinations for appointments to the all-India services, Central services and public services of the centrally administered territories and also called as the ‘watch-dog of merit system’ in India.
  
• UPSC can be extended by an act made by the Parliament.
  
• The UPSC submits its annual report to the president and the President places this report before both the Houses of Parliament.
  
• The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC – 1964) affected the role of UPSC in disciplinary matters.

Important Articles -

• 315 Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the states
  
• 320 Functions of Public Service Commissions
  
• 322 Expenses of Public Service Commissions
  
• 323 Reports of Public Service Commissions