Union Public Service Commission

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's constitutional public service commission responsible for conducting examinations and recruitment processes for services and posts under the Union. Its constitutional position is established under Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution of India, with Article 320 setting out important functions of Public Service Commissions.

UPSC conducts some of India's most prominent national-level competitive examinations. These include the Civil Services Examination for recruitment to services such as the IAS, Indian Foreign Service and IPS, the Engineering Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination, National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination and other examinations and recruitment tests. The Commission also undertakes direct recruitment through selection and interviews and performs other functions specified under the Constitution.

For candidates, the UPSC website provides examination calendars, notifications, application information, admit cards, question papers, answer keys where applicable, results, marks information and recruitment advertisements. UPSC also maintains information on recruitment cases and its constitutional and administrative functions, making the official portal the primary source for examination schedules and recruitment notices.

The origins of the Union Public Service Commission date to the establishment of the Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926. The institution evolved through constitutional and statutory changes during the period leading to independence and subsequently became the Union Public Service Commission under the Constitution of India. The present constitutional framework places UPSC within the system of Union and State Public Service Commissions under Articles 315 to 323.

UPSC is constituted as a Public Service Commission under the Constitution of India. Its official structure includes the Commission and its Secretariat, supported by divisions dealing with examinations, recruitment, recruitment rules and related administrative functions. The Commission also publishes annual reports, examination calendars, recruitment advertisements, results and other official records.