Need for reforms in State PSCs
Context
The 2025 National Conference of Chairpersons of State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) is being held by Telangana PSC on December 19–20.
State PSCs frequently face controversies, court cases, and delays, creating a trust deficit among aspirants.
The crisis is rooted in structural and procedural lapses affecting most State PSCs.
History of Public Service Commissions in India
Originated from India’s freedom struggle, where entry of Indians into civil services on merit became central to the demand for self-rule.
Montagu–Chelmsford Report (1918): recommended a permanent, politically insulated body to regulate service matters.
First Public Service Commission (Union) established in 1926.
Government of India Act, 1935: mandated one PSC for each province.
Constitution retained this system → UPSC + State PSCs for recruitment.
Structure and working: UPSC vs State PSCs
UPSC
Functions in a politically sterile environment.
Appointments based on merit, seniority, and national representation.
Though Constitution sets no age limit, most members are 55+, apolitical, and experienced.
Supported by a dedicated Ministry of Personnel (DoPT), established in 1985.
The Union has large, predictable manpower needs and financial stability → regular vacancy declaration → regular exams.
State PSCs
Work in a politically osmotic environment; appointment process often reflects a spoils system.
No clear norms for minimum age, educational or professional qualifications.
State manpower needs are limited, irregular, and poorly planned.
Fiscal constraints →
delayed recruitment,
increased retirement age,
no dedicated Personnel Ministry.
Result: Vacancies not notified regularly, so PSCs do not conduct exams consistently.
Key issues emerging
Appointment bias, absence of qualification norms → compromised autonomy.
Lack of financial capacity → irregular recruitment cycles.
No dedicated personnel planning in States → ad hoc vacancy notifications.
Structural contrasts with UPSC cause lower efficiency and credibility.
How UPSC works
Syllabus and question paper preparation
Conducts periodical expert-committee reviews consisting of:
academicians
civil servants
social sector experts
Ensures the syllabus balances academic depth and contemporary relevance.
National-level reach allows tapping the best talent for paper setting and evaluation.
Evaluation process
Uses a reliable and time-tested inter-se moderation across different evaluators.
Minimises subjectivity in marking, ensuring fairness and uniformity.
Grievance redressal
Strong systems to balance transparency (to aspirants) and confidentiality (to maintain exam integrity).
Quick corrective action → reduces litigation.
How State PSCs work (and why they struggle)
Syllabus and question preparation challenges
Syllabi not updated regularly.
Depend heavily on local academic resources, limiting quality.
Lack proper inter-se moderation, causing evaluation inconsistencies.
Reservation complexity
State PSCs have to handle:
Vertical reservation (SC/ST/OBC)
Horizontal reservation (women, PwD, ex-servicemen)
Zonal/Regional reservation
Complex combinations → frequent calculation errors → continuous litigation → recruitment delays.
Credibility crisis
Frequent court cases, paper leaks, errors in evaluation → growing mistrust.
Many aspirants prefer UPSC methods over State PSC practices.
Need structural + procedural reforms to restore credibility.
What can be done? – Reforms proposed
1. Structural reforms
Manpower planning
States must systematise manpower assessments.
Create a dedicated State Ministry of Personnel, similar to DoPT at the Union level.
Must prepare a 5-year recruitment roadmap → ensures timely, predictable vacancy notifications.
Age and qualifications of PSC members
Inspired by the 41st Constitutional Amendment (1976).
Proposal:
Minimum age: 55 years
Maximum age: 65 years
Helps appoint experienced, senior, apolitical professionals.
Qualification norms
For official members: should have been Secretary to State government or equivalent.
For non-official members: at least 10 years professional practice (law, medicine, engineering, etc.).
Appointment of non-official members may require consultation with Leader of Opposition.
Panel of eminent persons
States should maintain an updated pool of individuals with integrity, independence, high standing, and merit.
2. Procedural reforms
Syllabus revision
Should be revised periodically on the UPSC model.
Draft syllabi to be placed in public domain for feedback.
State-specific subjects (regional geography, economy, history):
Should be tested in objective format to avoid evaluation bias.
Exam pattern
Preliminary exam → retain objective pattern.
Main exam → mixed format (objective + subjective) to maintain analytical rigour.
Translation accuracy
Translation from English to regional languages should involve:
technology (secrecy)
human vetting (accuracy of meaning)
Countering AI-generated answers
Regularly change exam pattern and question styles to prevent reliance on AI chatbots.
3. Administrative reforms
Strengthening PSC leadership
Secretary of State PSC should be a senior officer with experience in:
Commissioner of School Education
Secretary, Board of Intermediate Education
Ensures professional oversight of exam administration.
Balancing transparency and confidentiality
Adopt UPSC-like systems to maintain exam integrity while protecting candidates’ rights.
Conclusion
Implementing these reforms in structure, appointments, syllabus, evaluation, administration, and personnel planning can transform State PSCs into bodies with credibility comparable to the UPSC.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to Public Service Commissions in India, consider the following statements:
The first Public Service Commission at the Union level was created under the Government of India Act, 1935.
The demand for PSCs emerged from the nationalist demand for merit-based civil services.
The Constitution of India created PSCs for the first time.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Answer: B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – the first PSC was created in 1926, not under the 1935 Act.
Statement 2 is correct – demand came from the freedom movement’s “self-rule” agenda.
Statement 3 is incorrect – PSCs already existed; Constitution continued them.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding UPSC and State PSCs:
UPSC members are constitutionally required to be above 55 years of age.
State PSC appointments often reflect political influence due to the absence of strict qualification norms.
UPSC works under a dedicated Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – Constitution sets no age requirement. Practice, not law, keeps members above 55.
Statement 2 is correct – State PSCs lack strict norms → political appointment patterns.
Statement 3 is correct – UPSC is supported by DoPT (created in 1985).