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UPSC's 100-Year Journey: Unveiling the Hidden History Behind the IAS Exam!
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News18•30-09-2026, 19:45
UPSC's 100-Year Journey: Unveiling the Hidden History Behind the IAS Exam!
- •The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which selects officers for India's highest civil services, now functions as an independent, autonomous body.
- •During British rule, high-ranking civil service positions were filled based on influence, not merit; the 'Indian Civil Service' exam was introduced in 1855.
- •Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian ICS officer in 1864; the British intentionally reduced the age limit to deter Indian entry.
- •India's first Public Service Commission was officially launched in 1926, marking the starting point of the current UPSC.
- •The UPSC chairman and members are appointed by the President and cannot hold any other position after retirement to ensure independence.
Key Questions Answered
Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of poet Rabindranath Tagore, traveled to England in 1862 to take the exam and became the first Indian ICS officer in 1864.
India's first Public Service Commission was officially established exactly a century ago on October 1, 1926, following recommendations from the 1924 Lee Commission.
Under Article 322 of the Indian Constitution, all expenses of the Commission are directly allocated from the Consolidated Fund of India to ensure its financial independence.
