UPSC Completes 100 Years: PM Modi Highlights ‘Nation First, Citizen First’ at Centenary Celebration

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years on October 1, 2026, marking a century of its institutional journey since India's first Public Service Commission was established on October 1, 1926. The centenary programme was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering and highlighted the changing responsibilities of public services and recruitment institutions.

The two-day centenary programme, titled 'Shatabdi Samaroh - Manthan', began on September 30. The October 1 programme included the release of a UPSC Centenary Commemorative Coin, a commemorative stamp and the book '100 Landmark Judgements - Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India'. Chairpersons and members of State Public Service Commissions, senior government officials, academicians and UPSC representatives participated in the celebrations.

PM Modi Highlights 'Nation First, Citizen First'

In his address, Prime Minister Modi said that UPSC's centenary represented not only the institution's history but also the aspirations of millions of young Indians seeking public service opportunities. He called for bringing people into public services who are motivated by public service rather than public office.

He said recruitment examinations should assess more than a candidate's knowledge and should also consider the motivation behind a young person's decision to enter the civil services. The Prime Minister also invoked the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava', saying citizen service should remain a central objective of public administration. He identified 'Nation First' and 'Citizen First' as two principles for public service.

Technology Bringing New Challenges for Civil Services

The centenary discussions also focused on the changing environment in which future civil servants will work. Prime Minister Modi referred to emerging issues associated with technological and social change, including artificial intelligence, information wars, deepfakes, algorithmic bias and climate justice.

He called for recruitment systems and public administration to adapt to these developments and for future civil servants to have stronger problem-solving and long-term thinking capabilities. He also spoke about reducing delays in recruitment examinations and considering standardisation and technology-based solutions wherever appropriate.

UPSC's Journey Began in 1926

The history of public service recruitment in India predates the creation of UPSC. The Indian Civil Service examination was introduced in 1855 through open competition, replacing the earlier nomination system. Initially, the examination was conducted in London, creating significant practical and educational barriers for Indian candidates. The examination included subjects such as Greek and Latin and was conducted in English.

Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to enter the Indian Civil Service after clearing the examination in 1863. By 1919, only 78 of 1,255 ICS officers were Indian, according to the PIB's UPSC centenary backgrounder. The ICS examination was conducted in India for the first time at Allahabad in 1922, alongside London.

The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for a Public Service Commission, and the Lee Commission in 1924 recommended the establishment of a statutory body. India's first Public Service Commission was subsequently established on October 1, 1926, with Sir Ross Barker as its first Chairman.

From Federal PSC to Constitutional Authority

The institution was renamed the Federal Public Service Commission in 1937. Following Independence and the commencement of the Constitution, it became the Union Public Service Commission on January 26, 1950, with Shri R.N. Banerjee as Chairman. The All-India Services Act was enacted in 1951.

The constitutional framework for Public Service Commissions is contained in Part XIV, Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution. Article 320 specifies functions such as conducting examinations for appointments to Union services and advising the government on recruitment methods, promotions and disciplinary matters.

Evolution of the Civil Services Examination

UPSC has changed its examination system over the decades. The D.S. Kothari Committee in 1976 proposed a three-stage examination, and the Preliminary, Main and Interview structure was introduced in 1979. The Commission also began using computers in 1978 to process applications, answer sheets and records.

Further reforms included the introduction of CSAT in 2011, restructuring of the Civil Services Main Examination in 2013, computer-based recruitment tests and expanded online application systems. The Commission also introduced OMR technology and later developed digital systems for candidate services and examination management.

UPSC's Scale Has Expanded Significantly

The Commission's workload has grown substantially since Independence. According to PIB, applications across examinations and recruitment by selection increased from 42,727 in 1950-51 to 45,10,044 in 2022-23. The number of examination centres rose from eight in 1950 to 86 in 2026.

The composition of candidates recommended through the Civil Services Examination has also changed. In CSE 2025, 299 of the 958 recommended candidates were women, compared with three women among 83 recommended candidates in 1952. The latest PIB data also records increased participation and recommendations of candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

Technology and Transparency in UPSC Recruitment

UPSC has continued to introduce technology into its recruitment processes. Recent initiatives include a revamped Universal Registration Number, randomised interview boards, a candidate helpdesk, online representations on provisional answer keys and AI-enabled facial authentication.

During the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, AI-enabled facial authentication was implemented at scale, with approximately 5.50 lakh candidates undergoing facial verification through invigilators' mobile phones. UPSC also used candidate-data analysis before the examination to identify applications containing false information in claims for additional attempts.

UPSC's Role Today

UPSC currently conducts several major examinations, including the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Service Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, NDA and Naval Academy Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination and Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination. It also conducts recruitment by selection for specialist posts and advises the government on recruitment rules, promotions and disciplinary matters.

As UPSC marks its centenary, the celebrations look back at the Commission's transformation from a limited public service body established in 1926 into an independent constitutional institution. The centenary programme also focused on the future of recruitment, including technology, transparency, accessibility, examination reform and the changing requirements of public administration.