{"id":74757,"date":"2025-11-24T11:08:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T05:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=74757"},"modified":"2025-11-24T11:08:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T05:38:45","slug":"public-service-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/public-service-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"Reforming State Public Service Commissions &#8211; Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Public Service Commissions Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2025 National Conference of State Public Service Commissions (PSCs), hosted by the Telangana State PSC, has brought renewed focus on the longstanding challenges affecting State PSCs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Evolution of Public Service Commissions in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public Service Commissions have their origins in India\u2019s struggle for self-governance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the historical overview, the demand for merit-based entry into civil services was central to the early nationalist movement. This led to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/government-of-india-act-1919\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which proposed an independent office regulating service matters,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establishment of the <\/span><b>first Public Service Commission in 1926<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provisions in the <\/span><b>Government of India Act, 1935<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mandating PSCs for each province, which the Constitution later retained; today, we have the <\/span><b>UPSC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>State PSCs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Structural Differences Between UPSC and State PSCs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>UPSC\u2019s Strong Governance Framework<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UPSC operates in a politically insulated environment, ensuring independence and professionalism. Members generally:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are above 55 years of age,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have rich experience in public administration,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Come from diverse zones of the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union government further institutionalised recruitment processes by creating the <\/span><b>Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (1985), enabling regular manpower planning and timely declaration of vacancies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>State PSCs\u2019 Politicised Environment<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast, State PSCs function in a <\/span><b>\u201cpolitically osmotic environment\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appointments tend to reflect political proximity rather than experience,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States lack dedicated personnel ministries,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vacancies are declared irregularly due to fiscal constraints,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exams are conducted infrequently, leading to widespread litigation and delays.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These structural factors form the foundation of the credibility crisis facing State PSCs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Procedural Challenges Undermining State PSC Efficiency<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><b>Irregular Syllabus Updates and Academic Limitations<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the UPSC, which periodically appoints committees of academicians, civil servants, and experts, State PSCs do not frequently update their syllabi. They also:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depend heavily on <\/span><b>limited academic resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within the State,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Struggle to ensure objective evaluation due to weak moderation mechanisms.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Complex Reservation and Regional Quota Calculations<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State PSCs face significant challenges in applying:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vertical reservations,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horizontal reservations,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regional (zonal) reservations are especially visible in States like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This often leads to errors and legal disputes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Recurring Examination Controversies<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paper leaks,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent judicial interventions,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Errors in evaluation and translation,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of confidentiality protocols.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, aspirants increasingly claim they \u201chave lost faith in State Commissions\u201d and express a preference for UPSC-like centralised examinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Reform Measures to Strengthen State PSCs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Institutional and Manpower Reforms<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Institutionalise manpower planning,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide a five-year roadmap of vacancies,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure predictable exam cycles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Constitutional Amendments for Professional Appointments<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 41<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">st<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Constitutional Amendment (1976) raised the PSC member age limit from 60 to 62. Experts suggest further modifications:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum age: 55 years,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximum age: 65 years,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandatory qualifications, e.g., former State Secretary for official members, 10 years\u2019 professional experience for non-officials,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, ensuring bipartisan selection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such criteria would help constitute panels of individuals with proven integrity, expertise, and independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Exam Reforms for Fairness and Transparency<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Periodic syllabus revision with public consultation,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Objective-type testing for State-specific subjects,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mixed question formats (objective + descriptive) in mains,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved translation processes using technology plus human verification,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent changes in question patterns to reduce overreliance on AI tools by candidates.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening Administrative Leadership<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Secretary of State PSC should be a senior officer with experience in school or intermediate education boards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This would enhance oversight of examination processes and replicate UPSC\u2019s emphasis on balanced confidentiality and transparency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/how-can-state-pscs-be-reformed-explained\/article70314087.ece#:~:text=What%20can%20be%20done%3F,and%20conduct%20the%20examination%20process.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The State Public Service Commission faces systemic issues in recruitment and it is crucial to restore its credibility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":74761,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[60,3849,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-74757","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-mains-articles","9":"tag-public-service-commission","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74757"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74757\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}