State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs), established under Articles 315–323, were designed as independent constitutional bodies to ensure merit-based recruitment to State services. However, despite their foundational significance, rooted in the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919), the first Public Service Commission (1926), and the Government of India Act, 1935, SPSCs today face a severe credibility crisis.
Constitutional Status:
- The Government of India Act, 1935 mandated PSCs for provinces, a provision later retained in the Constitution.
- Article 315 provides for a UPSC and a PSC in every State; Article 320 outlines their recruitment and advisory functions.
- Members enjoy security of tenure (6 years or until 62 years, per 41st Amendment), and removal is only by the President after Supreme Court inquiry.
Key Challenges Confronting State PSCs:
Structural Weaknesses:
- Politicised appointments: Unlike UPSC’s insulated environment, many States appoint Chairpersons/members based on political proximity rather than merit.
- Lack of a dedicated manpower planning or personnel ministry at the State level, irregular vacancies and unpredictable exam cycles.
- For example, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh PSCs faced criticism for long vacancy cycles and delays in recruitment notifications.
Procedural Challenges:
- Paper leaks and poor confidentiality protocols undermine credibility.
- Irregular syllabus revision and dependence on limited academic inputs.
- Inconsistent application of vertical, horizontal, and regional reservations leading to litigation and delays.
- For example, Assam PSC chairman arrested (2016) for bribery in recruitment and Bihar PSC 2022 preliminary exam cancelled due to paper leak.
Capacity Constraints:
- Inadequate staff, poor digitisation, weak moderation and evaluation processes.
- Delayed results reduce trust. For example, MPPSC hasn’t released final results for several cycles since 2018, affecting thousands of candidates.
Robust reforms needed to strengthen SPSCs:
Professionalising Appointments:
- Introduce mandatory qualifications:
- Former State Secretaries/senior civil servants for official members.
- Minimum 10 years’ professional experience for non-officials.
- Expand the selection panel to include experts for more credibility.
Administrative Reforms:
- Establish State-level Ministry of Personnel on the lines of DoPT (1985).
- Institutionalise 5-year recruitment calendars and annual manpower planning.
- Strengthen PSC Secretariats with experienced officers from education boards/examination bodies.
Procedural Reforms:
- Periodic syllabus updates with academic committees, similar to UPSC system.
- Shift to mixed-mode evaluation, a mix of objective and descriptive testing.
- Adopt technology for secure paper-setting, encrypted transmission, biometric verification.
Ensuring Independence & Transparency:
- Make PSC expenditure a charged item on the State Consolidated Fund.
- Publish annual performance reports with reasons for non-acceptance of advice under Article 323.
Conclusion:
To realise the original constitutional vision of independent, impartial, and professional recruitment bodies, strengthening SPSCs is vital not only for administrative effectiveness but also for deepening democratic governance across India.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- 25+ major paper leak incidents involving State PSCs in last 10 years as per PRS analysis.
- Over 80 lakh aspirants affected nationwide by exam cancellations as per Forum for Fair Exams, 2023.
- Assam PSC 2016 scandal, Vyapam scam, BPSC 2022 leak are major examples of institutional failure.
- UPSC receives 10–12 lakh applications annually yet conducts exams without leak scandals,a benchmark for robust reforms.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
