UPSC Chairman
Key Concepts
| # | Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full-form of UPSC | Union Public Service Commission – constitutional body for recruiting higher civil servants. |
| 2 | Article 315 | Establishes UPSC & SPSC; Chairman & members appointed by President. |
| 3 | Tenure | 6 yrs or till 65 yrs age, whichever earlier (can resign or be removed earlier). |
| 4 | Removal | Same manner as SC judge—by President on ground of misbehaviour after Supreme-Court inquiry (Art. 317). |
| 5 | Re-appointment | Chairman not eligible for second term; member can become Chairman later. |
| 6 | Constitutional status | Independent constitutional body; reports directly to President; not subject to control of any Ministry. |
| 7 | Ex-officio posts | UPSC Chairman is ex-officio Chairman of National Defence Academy, ISTM, Central Civil Services Authority (CCSA). |
| 8 | First & Present | First Chairman – Sir Ross Barker (1926); Present (as on 2025) – Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Raj Shukla (Retd.) |
15 Practice MCQs
Who appoints the Chairman of UPSC? Answer: President of India
Shortcut: “C for Chairman, C for President” (Constitutional head).
Tag: Appointment-Article 316The removal of UPSC Chairman is governed by which Article? Answer: Article 317
Shortcut: “317—Seventeen rhymes with ‘Supreme’ inquiry”.
Tag: Removal procedureWhat is the maximum age limit for holding office as UPSC Chairman? Answer: 65 years
Shortcut: “6+5=11; 11-5=6 yrs tenure”.
Tag: TenureSir Ross Barker is associated with which distinction? Answer: First Chairman of UPSC (1926)
Shortcut: “Ross—First Boss”.
Tag: First ChairmanThe Chairman UPSC is ex-officio Chairman of which training academy? Answer: National Defence Academy (NDA)
Shortcut: “NDA—N for ‘Nation’, U for ‘UPSC’”.
Tag: Ex-officio rolesWhich of the following can become UPSC Chairman after serving as member? Answer: Any member
Shortcut: “Member → Crown (Chairman) allowed once”.
Tag: Re-appointment rulesUPSC derives its constitutional existence from which Article? Answer: Article 315
Shortcut: “315—Commission Day (15) of March (3)”.
Tag: Constitutional provisionWho is the current UPSC Chairman (Dec 2025)? Answer: Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Raj Shukla (Retd.)
Shortcut: “2025—Shukla ‘Shuk’-riya (thanks) to new boss”.
Tag: Current affairsThe term of UPSC Chairman is __________ or __________, whichever is earlier. Answer: 6 years or 65 years age
Shortcut: “6×65=390; remember 6-65 combo”.
Tag: TenureWhich of the following is NOT a ground for removal of UPSC Chairman? Answer: Refusing to accept government policy
Shortcut: Only “misbehaviour” & “infirmity” count—policy disagreement is not ground.
Tag: Removal groundsThe salary & allowances of UPSC Chairman are charged on: Answer: Consolidated Fund of India
Shortcut: “CFI—Chairman’s Fixed Income”.
Tag: EmolumentsUPSC Chairman can resign by writing to: Answer: President
Shortcut: “Appointed by President, resign to same boss”.
Tag: ResignationWhich committee is chaired by UPSC Chairman for framing recruitment rules of Group A posts? Answer: Central Civil Services Authority (CCSA)
Shortcut: “CCSA—C for Chairman”.
Tag: Ex-officio rolesWho conducts the inquiry if President wants to remove UPSC Chairman? Answer: Supreme Court of India
Shortcut: “SC—Super-Check for removal”.
Tag: Removal procedureThe first woman member of UPSC was: Answer: Anna Rajam Malhotra (1982)
Shortcut: “ARM—First female arm of UPSC”.
Tag: First woman member (linked trivia)
Speed Tricks
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Remember Articles 315-317 | “315-316-317: 3-6-7 digits in order → Commission-Appointment-Removal” | 315=exist, 316=appointment, 317=removal |
| Age vs Tenure | “6-65 rule: 6 years or 65 years—whichever gate opens first” | Write 6×65=390 on margin to recall |
| Ex-officio posts | “N.I.C.” – NDA, ISTM, CCSA | Like “NIC card” for UPSC |
| Removal bench | “SC=Supreme Check” | Supreme Court inquires |
| First vs Current | “Ross-2025” – Sir Ross (1926) to Raj (2025) – R-R link | Both start with ‘R’ |
Quick Revision
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | UPSC set up under GoI Act 1919; constitutionalised in 1950 via Art 315. |
| 2 | Chairman + 9-11 members (usual strength). |
| 3 | Member must be ≥ 35 yrs; no fixed term for member, but 6 yrs/65 yrs for Chairman. |
| 4 | Chairman ineligible for any other govt job post-retirement (except SPSC chairmanship with consent). |
| 5 | UPSC submits annual report to President → laid before Parliament. |
| 6 | Expenses of UPSC charged on Consolidated Fund of India (non-votable). |
| 7 | First women Chairman: none so far (2025). |
| 8 | Headquarters: Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi. |
| 9 | UPSC also advises govt on disciplinary matters & promotions. |
| 10 | Chairman can be re-appointed only as Chairman of SPSC of a state, that too with state governor’s & President’s consent. |
BETA
