As per the constitution the functions of UPSC are-
1. Recruitment to services & posts under the Union through conduct of competitive examinations;
2. Recruitment to services & posts under the Central Government by Selection through Interviews;
3. Advising on the suitability of officers for appointment on promotion as well as transfer-on-deputation;
4. Advising the Government on all matters relating to methods of Recruitment to various services and posts;
5. Disciplinary cases relating to different civil services; and
6. Miscellaneous matters relating to grant of extra ordinary pensions, reimbursement of legal expenses etc.
Besides these constitutionally mandated functions Commission looks into various matters related to personnel management as referred to it by president from time to time. Under Article 320 of the Constitution of India, the Commission are, inter-alia, required to be consulted on all matters relating to recruitment to civil services and posts. Commission is required to submit a report under Article 323 on its performance and recommendations made on annual basis to the President. This report is caused to be laid by the President in front of the Parliament along with written explanation for the cases in which any of UPSC’s advice or recommendation was not accepted by the Union government. This gives a lot of weight to UPSC’s recommendations and though advisory in nature these recommendations are generally accepted by government with few exceptions.
To ensure the highest standards in the recruitment process the Commission has been given highest degree of latitude in its operations. In fact the constitution itself ensures the independence of the commission from the political pressures coming from the executive. Briefly, these provisions are-
1. All the members of the Commissions are appointed by the President under the warrant of his/her hand and seal.
2. They can be removed from their post only after an enquiry to this effect undertaken by a committee headed by the Chief Justice of India recommends for such an action on the grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity.
3. All the expenses of the UPSC are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
4. The Chairperson of the UPSC cannot take any employment under the Government of India or any of the State governments, after his retirement. Other members can be employed only as either Chairperson of the UPSC or any of the State PSCs.
Commission has managed to retain its identity and autonomous character despite the pressures of a democratic polity. It has served its purpose of ensuring highest quality in recruitment and personnel affairs till date. With the changing dynamics of society the commission is also changing its culture of working and administration. The coming of Right to Information on the scene has considerably changed the character of Indian democracy. UPSC is one of the major recipients of application of information under the RTI Act of 2005. This has not only disturbed the smooth functioning of UPSC till now but has also brought it under the scanner of judiciary. Though it has an impeccable record of integrity in Indian administrative scenario, it has to submit to the diktats of the people who are the ultimate sovereign of this country. The culture of secrecy is not good for democracy and has already done enough harm to the moral fiber of the administration. Under the veil of secrecy, corruption flourishes. The UPSC is also charged with the task of ensuring integrity and discipline in the administration, therefore it becomes the moral responsibility of the Commission to be open towards the demands of openness coming from various quarters of society and lead other departments by its example.
Overall the UPSC is one of the most important institutions of democratic governance and has been instrumental in ensuring the constitutional provision of Equality of Opportunity to all the citizens by adhering to the standards of fairness and honesty in the administration of its competitive exams. It is abundantly obvious by looking at the back ground of the candidates who succeed at this exam. It has always given hope to millions of aspirants who come from poorest to richest of the backgrounds. It wont be wrong to say that UPSC has been a beacon of bright light in the dark sea of failing institutions of governance in India.
