• The Public Service Commission (PSC) was established in 1926 under the chairmanship of Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison, who was the Governor of Punjab at the time.
• The creation of the PSC was part of the British government’s broader effort to reform the Indian Civil Services (ICS), which had been traditionally dominated by British officers.
• This step was also in response to growing demands for a more inclusive and merit-based recruitment process that would allow Indians to participate more fully in the governance of their country.

• Prior to the PSC’s establishment, the Indian Civil Services had been primarily filled by British officers, which limited the opportunities for Indians to take on key administrative roles.
• Indian reformists, including political leaders and social activists, advocated for the Indianization of the ICS, calling for greater Indian participation based on merit rather than the British system of recruitment.
• The establishment of the Public Service Commission marked the beginning of the process of Indianizing the civil services, though this process was slow and limited in scope at the outset.

• The PSC was tasked with conducting examinations and interviews for the recruitment of Indian Civil Services and other higher administrative positions in the British Indian Government.
• However, the powers of the PSC were initially limited, as Indian candidates were still required to undergo competitive exams in London to join the ICS.
• Despite this limitation, the formation of the PSC in 1926 was a crucial first step toward Indianizing the civil services and providing Indian candidates with an opportunity to serve in high-level administrative roles.

• Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison, a prominent British administrator, played a pivotal role in the formation of the Public Service Commission.
• He had previously contributed to the establishment of Punjab University and other educational and administrative reforms in the region.
• Under his leadership, the PSC’s primary task was to recommend appointments to various government positions based on merit, thereby encouraging a more inclusive recruitment system.

• The Public Service Commission of 1926 laid the groundwork for the creation of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after India’s independence in 1947.
• The UPSC, established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution, continues to play a central role in recruiting civil servants in modern India.
• Today, the UPSC is responsible for conducting competitive examinations for prestigious positions in various administrative services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).

1. The formation of the PSC in 1926 was an acknowledgment of the growing demand for greater Indian participation in governance.
2. While the British retained power, the commission was an important step in establishing a more inclusive and merit-based system for recruiting civil servants.
3. The 1926 PSC acted as a precursor to the UPSC, which continues to serve as the apex body for the recruitment of India’s civil servants.
4. The UPSC ensures a meritocratic approach to selecting officers for key administrative roles, a concept that was introduced with the formation of the PSC.

• Following India’s independence in 1947, the PSC’s role evolved into the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which was formally established in 1950.
• The UPSC took over the responsibility of conducting competitive examinations for various civil services and administrative positions in independent India, carrying forward the legacy of the Public Service Commission.

• The establishment of the PSC in 1926 was a turning point in the recruitment process for civil services in India, marking a shift toward a merit-based system that opened doors for more Indians to join the civil services.
• While initially limited, the formation of the PSC was a significant step in the gradual Indianization of the civil services, which would become a critical component of India’s administrative and governance structure post-independence.

If you’d like to explore more about the evolution of civil services in India, the role of the UPSC, or merit-based recruitment, feel free to ask! The establishment of the PSC was a key milestone in the journey toward a more inclusive and democratic India.