Article 315 provides for service commissions for
both the Union and the States. For the Union it is
known as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
and for the States it is known as State Public Service
Commission (SPSC). There is a provision for a joint
SPSC for two or more states if the state legislatures
of the concerned states pass a resolution to this
effect and acting on it Parliament enacts a law in
this regard.
A Public Service Commission consists of a
Chairman and a number of members. The number
of members and the conditions of service shall be
determined in the case of UPSC or a Joint
Commission by the President and in the case of a
state PSC by the Governor.
Appointment, term of office, etc:
The Chairman and members of the UPSC or a
Joint Commission are appointed by the President
while those of a State Commission are appointed
by the Governor of the State. No qualifications are
prescribed for being a member or chairman. The
Constitution does not prescribe the number of
members of a Commission. But it is laid down in
Art. 316 that at least half of the members of every
Commission shall be persons who have held office
under the Government of India or of a state for 10
years. Under this clause officers belonging to IAS,
IPS, IFS, and other Central Services serving the
Union and officers of the armed forces who have
retired or are on the verge of superannuation's are
appointed members. This is to ensure that persons
who have a first hand experience of government
service guide the policies to be adopted by the
Commission. They are in a better position to
understand the needs of the government and the
qualities required of a candidate. Generally the
seniormost member is appointed as Chairman
though it is not a legal requirement.
A member of a Commission holds office for a
term of 6 years from the date he enters upon his
office or until he attains the age of 65 years in the
case of UPSC and 62 years in the case of a State
Commission or a Joint Commission
