List of UPSC Chairman 1926 to 2025, Tenure, Appointment and Salary

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UPSC Chairman 2025

UPSC Chairperson heads this constitutional organisation and is appointed according to the provisions of the Article 316 of the Indian Constitution. The following table contains the complete overview of UPSC Chairman:

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Current UPSC Chairman 2025

Dr. Ajay Kumar, a distinguished retired 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre and former Defence Secretary of India, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). His appointment has been approved by President Droupadi Murmu and notified by the Union Personnel Ministry. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur, Dr. Kumar holds a PhD in Business Administration and an MS in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota.

His tenure as Defence Secretary from August 2019 to October 2022 saw transformative reforms, including the institutionalization of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Agniveer recruitment scheme, and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board. He also contributed to the Digital India mission during his tenure in the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Dr. Kumar succeeds Preeti Sudan and is expected to serve as UPSC Chairman until October 2027, leading the body responsible for conducting India’s premier civil services examinations.

UPSC Chairman Pre-Independence: Federal Public Service Commission

The establishment of the initial Public Service Commission occurred on October 1, 1926, led by Sir Ross Barker. Initially, the Public Service Commission was endowed with a restricted advisory role . However, due to persistent emphasis by leaders of the independence movement on this issue, it led to the establishment of a Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935 .

First UPSC Chairman (Post Independence)

• K. Kripalani was the chairman of UPSC post Independence. He was also the first Indian Chairman of the Commission since its establishment in 1926,
• Following independence, the Federal Public Service Commission underwent a transformation into the Union Public Service Commission.
• On 26 January 1950, it was accorded constitutional recognition under the Constitution of India.

First Woman UPSC Chairman

Rose Millian Bathew (Kharbuli) was the first Indian woman to serve as the UPSC chairman. She served as the UPSC Chairman from 23rd September, 1992 to 23rd August, 1996.

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List of UPSC Chairman (1926-2025)

The table below contains the complete list of UPSC Chairman:

Salary of UPSC Chairman 

The Salary of UPSC Chairman is ₹30 lakhs per annum. Following the approval of a salary increase in accordance with the Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations for the Bureau of Indian Standards, the UPSC chairperson received a substantial threefold raise in salary. With the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission's recommendations, the UPSC chairperson now earns Rs 2.5 lakh per month, whereas other members receive Rs 2.25 lakh per month. Prior to this, the UPSC chairperson's monthly salary was Rs 90,000.

Tenure of UPSC Chairman

The Chairman of the UPSC serves a term lasting six years or until reaching the age of 65, whichever comes first.

Qualification of UPSC Chairman

No specific qualification is mentioned in the constitution of India for the Chairman and its members, but it mandates that 50% of the members of U.P.S.C. should be the ones who have held government office for at least 10 years.

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Powers and Functions of UPSC Chairman and UPSC 

According to Article 320 of the Constitution of India, the UPSC must be consulted on various matters concerning the recruitment to civil services and posts. The responsibilities of the UPSC and its Chairman under this article include:

1. Organising examinations for selecting candidates for Union services.
2. Carrying out direct recruitment through interviews.
3. Appointing officers through promotion, deputation, or absorption.
4. Formulating and revising Recruitment Rules for different government services and positions.
5. Handling disciplinary matters pertaining to various Civil Services.
6. Providing advice to the Government on any issue referred to the UPSC Members by the President of India.

UPSC Members Overview

The table below contains an overview of the UPSC Members:

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Current UPSC Members list 

Currently, there are only 7 members of UPSC, 3 less than its actual strength. The table below contains the names of UPSC Members, their respective services, and their current positions:

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Important Functions and Responsibilities of the UPSC Chairman 

UPSC Chairman's functions highlight the critical role of the UPSC Chairman in shaping the recruitment landscape for civil services in India and maintaining the integrity of the selection process.

1. Conducting Examinations: The UPSC Chairman oversees the organization of various competitive examinations for recruitment to civil services and positions under the Government of India.
2. Direct Recruitment: The Chairman is responsible for carrying out direct recruitment through interviews, ensuring that qualified candidates are selected for civil service roles.
3. Promotion and Deputation: The UPSC Chairman plays a key role in appointing officers through promotion, deputation, or absorption, facilitating career progression within the civil services.
4. Recruitment Rules Formulation: The Chairman formulates and revises the recruitment rules for different government services, maintaining up-to-date standards and practices.
5. Disciplinary Matters: Handling disciplinary matters related to various civil services is part of the Chairman's responsibilities, ensuring that officers adhere to the established code of conduct.
6. Government Advisory Role: The Chairman provides advice to the Government of India on matters referred by the President, contributing to effective governance and policy-making.
7. Membership Oversight: The Chairman leads the commission, which consists of a team of members, ensuring collaborative decision-making and strategic direction.

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