Syllabus: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Context
- The 2025 National Conference of State PSC Chairpersons highlights increasing controversies, litigation, and credibility issues in State recruitments.
- Systemic structural and procedural deficiencies have led to delays, errors, and a trust deficit among aspirants.
Historical Background
- Demand for merit-based civil services emerged during India’s freedom struggle.
- Montagu–Chelmsford Report (1918) recommended a permanent, politically insulated body for service matters.
- First Public Service Commission (1926) established for the Union.
- GOI Act, 1935 mandated PSCs for provinces — continued post-Independence.
- Constitution created UPSC and State PSCs as independent recruitment institutions.
Structural Challenges in State PSCs
- UPSC functions in a politically neutral environment with members chosen for experience, integrity, and national representation.
- State PSCs operate in a politically permeable environment, enabling a “spoils system” in appointments.
- States lack dedicated personnel ministries, causing irregular vacancy notifications and delayed exams.
- Financial constraints push States to extend retirement ages, further postponing recruitment cycles.
Procedural Challenges
- UPSC regularly updates syllabi through expert committees; State PSCs rarely conduct systematic revisions.
- Limited access to national-level academic resources weakens question quality and evaluation.
- Complex calculations for vertical + horizontal + zonal reservations result in repeated litigation.
- Weak moderation, translation errors, and inconsistent standards erode public trust.
Key Reform Measures
- Strengthened Manpower Planning
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- Create a dedicated State Ministry for Personnel with a five-year recruitment calendar.
- Regular vacancy notifications must be mandated.
- Reform in PSC Composition
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- Constitutional amendment to set minimum age 55 and maximum 65 for PSC members.
- Define qualifications:
- Official members: Must have served as State Secretaries/equivalent.
- Non-official members: Minimum 10 years recognised professional experience.
- Introduce mandatory consultation with the Leader of Opposition.
- Maintain a State-wide panel of reputable, independent experts.
- Examination Reforms
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- Periodic, publicly-consulted syllabus revision, aligned with UPSC patterns.
- Test region-specific subjects in objective format to avoid evaluation bias.
- Mix of objective + descriptive papers in mains.
- Improve translation using technology + human review.
- Frequently alter question pattern to counter AI-generated answer misuse.
- Administrative Strengthening
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- PSC Secretary should be a senior officer with experience in School or Intermediate Education, ensuring exam quality.
- Maintain a transparent yet confidential exam ecosystem modelled on UPSC practices.
Conclusion
- With structural reforms, clear recruitment planning, upgraded exam processes, and transparent appointments, State PSCs can match UPSC’s credibility and efficiency, restoring aspirants’ confidence.