Dr. Ajay Kumar Assumes Charge as UPSC Chairman

The government appointed former defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar as the chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), filling the vacancy caused by former chairperson Preeti Sudan’s retirement.

About

• The UPSC is responsible for conducting civil services exams, which are used to select officers for top services like the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and IPS (Indian Police Service). The commission is headed by a chairman and can have up to 10 members.
• The Constitution of India provides for four watchdogs to keep a check on different functions of the State.
  • The Supreme Court: SC keeps a check on the judicial functions of the state.
  • The Election Commission of India: ECI ensures free and fair elections.
  • The Comptroller and Auditor General of India: The Comptroller and Auditor General keep in check the finances of the country.
  • The Union Public Service Commission: UPSC is a watchdog to ensure fair recruitment on the basis of merit.
• The Constitution visualises the UPSC to be the ‘watch-dog of merit system’ in India.
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the Indian Constitution deals with provisions relating to the Union Public Service Commission as well as the State Public Service Commission.
• UPSC Chairman
• The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is appointed by the President of India.
• The term of appointment is regulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 316(2) of the Constitution of India, and the conditions of service will be governed by UPSC (Members) Regulations, 1969, as amended from time to time.
• Tenure: He/she holds office for a term of six years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Re-appointment: A person who has once held office as a member (including Chairman) of a Public Service Commission is not eligible for reappointment to that office.
• Resignation: The Chairman may resign by writing to the President of India.
• Removal and Suspension: The Chairman can be removed from office by the President only in specific conditions as provided under the Constitution. The President may suspend the Chairman while a reference is made to the Supreme Court regarding the grounds of removal.
• Grounds for removal include:
  • Insolvency (bankruptcy).
  • Engaging in paid employment outside the duties of the office.
  • Being physically or mentally unfit, as determined by the President.
• Conditions of Service: The President determines the conditions of service of the Chairman and other members at the time of appointment. Conditions cannot be altered to their disadvantage after the appointment.
• Remuneration and Expenses: The salary, allowances, and pension of the Chairman are paid from the Consolidated Fund of India.