History of UPSC in India from 1926 to 2026
UPSC Quick Facts
- Established: 1 October 1926
- Constitutional Status: Articles 315–323
- Renamed as UPSC: 26 January 1950
- First Chairman: Sir Ross Barker
- First Indian Chairman: H.K. Kripalani
- Current Chairman (2026): Dr. Ajay Kumar
Table of Contents
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of India’s most important constitutional bodies responsible for recruiting civil servants for the Government of India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination to become IAS, IPS, IFS, and other top officers.
Understanding the history of UPSC is important not only for competitive exams but also for understanding how India built a transparent and merit-based administrative system. From the British-era Public Service Commission to today’s constitutional authority, UPSC has evolved significantly over the decades.
Origin of Public Service Commission in India (Pre-Independence Era)
The idea of establishing a Public Service Commission in India emerged during British rule. Earlier, civil servants were recruited mainly through examinations held in England, which created disadvantages for Indian candidates.
Lee Commission, 1923
The turning point came with the formation of the Lee Commission in 1923 under Lord Lee of Fareham. The commission recommended the creation of an independent recruitment body in India.
- Ensuring fair recruitment
- Reducing political interference
- Creating merit-based administration
- Increasing Indian participation in civil services
Establishment of Public Service Commission – 1 October 1926
Based on the Lee Commission recommendations, the Public Service Commission of India was officially established on 1 October 1926.
- Sir Ross Barker became the first Chairman.
- The commission initially had limited powers.
- It mainly functioned as an advisory body.
Post-Independence Evolution and Constitutional Status
After independence, the Government of India recognized the need for an independent constitutional authority to ensure fair recruitment.
Renaming to UPSC on 26 January 1950
With the implementation of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the Public Service Commission was renamed as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Constitutional Provisions: Articles 315 to 323
The UPSC derives its constitutional authority from Part XIV of the Constitution, specifically Articles 315 to 323.
- Article 315: Establishment of UPSC and State PSCs
- Article 316: Appointment and term of members
- Article 317: Removal and suspension of members
- Article 318: Conditions of service
- Article 319: Restrictions on future employment
- Article 320: Functions of UPSC
- Articles 321–323: Additional powers and reports
Functions and Role of UPSC
- Conducting the Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Recruitment for IAS, IPS, IFS and Group A services
- Conducting NDA, CDS, CAPF and Engineering Services exams
- Advising the government on promotions and disciplinary matters
- Ensuring transparent and merit-based recruitment
Complete List of UPSC Chairmen (1926–2026)
| Sr. No. | Chairman Name | Tenure | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Ross Barker | 1926–1932 | First Chairman |
| 2 | Sir David Petrie | 1932–1937 | Expanded advisory role |
| 3 | Sir Eyre Gordon | 1937–1942 | Pre-independence reforms |
| 4 | Sir F.W. Robertson | 1942–1947 | Last British-era Chairman |
| 5 | H.K. Kripalani | 1947–1949 | First Indian Chairman |
| 6 | R.N. Banerjee | 1949–1955 | Transition to constitutional UPSC |
| 7 | V.S. Hejmadi | 1955–1961 | Recruitment reforms |
| 8 | B.N. Jha | 1961–1967 | Administrative modernization |
| 9 | K.R. Damle | 1967–1971 | Exam reforms |
| 10 | R.C.S. Sarkar | 1971–1973 | Expansion of recruitment processes |
| 11 | Dr. A.R. Kidwai | 1973–1979 | - |
| 12 | Dr. M.L. Shahare | 1979–1985 | - |
| 13 | Dr. S. K. Mitra | 1985–1991 | - |
| 14 | J. M. Qureshi | 1991–1996 | - |
| 15 | Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Surendra Nath | 1996–2002 | - |
| 16 | Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S. C. Sardeshpande | 2002–2003 | - |
| 17 | Mata Prasad | 2003–2005 | Administrative continuity |
| 18 | Dr. S. R. Hashim | 2005–2006 | Governance modernization |
| 19 | Gurcharan Jagat | 2006–2008 | - |
| 20 | Subir Dutta | 2008–2011 | - |
| 21 | Prof. D. P. Agrawal | 2011–2014 | Digital improvements in UPSC |
| 22 | Rajni Razdan | 2014–2015 | - |
| 23 | Alka Sirohi | 2015–2016 | Notable women chairperson |
| 24 | Prof. David R. Syiemlieh | 2016–2017 | - |
| 25 | Vinay Mittal | 2017–2018 | - |
| 26 | Arvind Saxena | 2018–2020 | Focus on transparency |
| 27 | Pradeep Kumar Joshi | 2020–2022 | Exams during COVID |
| 28 | Dr. Manoj Soni | 2022–2024 | Academic and governance reforms |
| 29 | Preeti Sudan | 2024–2025 | Former Health Secretary |
| 30 | Dr. Ajay Kumar | 2025–Present (2026) | Current UPSC Chairman |
Conclusion
The evolution of UPSC reflects India’s journey toward building a transparent, professional, and merit-based administrative system. From its establishment in 1926 to becoming a constitutional body in 1950, UPSC has played a major role in strengthening Indian democracy.
Even in 2026, UPSC remains one of the most trusted institutions responsible for selecting India’s future administrators and policymakers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was the first Chairman of UPSC?
Sir Ross Barker was the first Chairman of the Public Service Commission established in 1926.
Who was the first Indian Chairman of UPSC?
H.K. Kripalani was the first Indian Chairman of UPSC.
Which Articles define UPSC?
Articles 315 to 323 of the Indian Constitution define UPSC.
When was UPSC established?
The Public Service Commission was established on 1 October 1926.
: Establishment, Evolution & Complete Chairmen List){kind=link}