Current Affairs
UPSC at 100: The Centenary Year and the Evolution of India’s Civil Services
On October 1, 2025, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) entered its Centenary Year. Established on October 1, 1926, UPSC has grown from a colonial-era institution into a constitutional body revered for its impartial and merit-based selection of civil servants.Over the decades, it has transformed in structure, examination patterns, and scope – but its core mandate remains the same: to find the best talent to serve in India’s governance.
This blog traces the historical journey of UPSC, key reforms in the Civil Services Examination (CSE), the evolution of the exam format and syllabus, and the enduring role of the civil services in nation-building.
Historical Overview of UPSC (1926–2025)
Colonial Origins (1926–1950)
The idea of a Public Service Commission in India was first proposed by the Lee Commission in 1924 to ensure merit-based recruitment. Acting on these recommendations, the first Public Service Commission was set up on 1 October 1926 with Sir Ross Barker as Chairman. At that time, its role was advisory, limited largely to conducting exams for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) – the elite cadre of colonial administrators. In 1935, the Government of India Act reorganized it as the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), with separate commissions for provinces.
Notably, Satyendranath Tagore – elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore – had been the first Indian to succeed in the ICS exam (in 1863), breaking the British monopoly. Indians initially had to travel to London to take the ICS exam, until 1922 when the exam was held in India (in Allahabad) for the first time.
Post-Independence and Constitutional Mandate of UPSC
Upon India’s independence in 1947, the FPSC was headed by its first Indian chairman, H.K. Kripalani, and was soon renamed as the Union Public Service Commission. The Constitution of India (1950) gave UPSC constitutional status – Articles 315 to 323 enshrine the establishment of UPSC and State Public Service Commissions, and define their autonomous role. Article 320, for instance, mandates UPSC “to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union” among other functions.
UPSC thus became an independent constitutional body tasked with ensuring impartial, merit-based selection for the higher civil services. On January 26, 1950, the change of name from FPSC to UPSC and of “Secretary of the ICS” to “Indian Administrative Service (IAS)” officially took effect.
UPSC in Modern India
Over the past 75 years, UPSC’s responsibilities have expanded. It conducts a range of competitive exams – the Civil Services Examination (CSE) being the most prestigious – for entry into the All-India Services (IAS, IPS, Indian Forest Service) and various Central Services (Indian Foreign Service, Revenue, Railway, etc.).
From a handful of candidates in the early years, the scale is now massive: in recent years nearly a million aspirants register for the CSE annually, though only around half actually sit for the preliminary test. Despite this scale, UPSC maintains a low application fee and a reputation for transparent conduct. In 1952, UPSC moved its headquarters to Dholpur House in New Delhi – a heritage building which remains the iconic hub for UPSC’s operations.
Key Milestones of UPSC : 100-Year Timeline
Evolution of the Civil Services Examination
- Early Structure: In the initial decades, the exam closely mirrored the ICS pattern, with multiple optional subjects, English and language papers, and no prelims filter.
- Prelims (1979): The Kothari Committee recommended the two-stage format. Prelims became the first stage with objective questions, followed by Mains (descriptive) and the Interview.
- Broadening GS: In 1989, the Essay paper was introduced and interview marks increased. General Studies gained greater weight over time.
- Modern Reforms: In 2011, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) was introduced as Paper II of Prelims, testing logical reasoning and comprehension. In 2015, it was made qualifying to ensure fairness.
- 2013 Mains Reform: General Studies papers increased to four, one optional subject retained, and Ethics was introduced as GS Paper IV. This shifted emphasis towards broad-based knowledge, governance, and moral aptitude.
The Changing Role of Civil Services
- Steel Frame of India: As Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel called it, civil services remain the backbone of India’s governance.
- From Colonial Rule to Democracy: Officers moved from imperial administrators to public servants driving India’s development and welfare.
- Meritocracy and Inclusion: UPSC ensures representation across regions, classes, and languages.
- Adapting to Challenges: From Five-Year Plans to GST, Digital India, and COVID-19 management, civil servants have led India’s transitions.
- Integrity: Civil servants are expected to maintain neutrality, uphold the Constitution, and ensure accountability.
Conclusion: The Next Century Ahead
On October 1, 2025, UPSC entered its Centenary Year. Over 100 years, it has constantly adapted, ensuring fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in recruiting India’s administrators. For aspirants, this is not just preparation for an exam but a commitment to join a proud legacy of service, sacrifice, and leadership.
As UPSC steps into its next century, its mission remains clear: to uphold meritocracy and integrity while selecting officers who will carry India’s governance forward. The steel frame of India stands strong – and the next generation of aspirants will be the ones to reinforce it.
