RAS question
The Chairman and members of the RPSC are appointed by:
Correct answer: (C) Governor of Rajasthan.
The Chairman and other members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor of Rajasthan under Article 316.
Explanation
Article 316 fixes the appointing authority for Public Service Commissions. The Raj Bhawan, Rajasthan RTI publication reproduces the constitutional rule: for the Union Public Service Commission or a Joint Commission, appointment is by the President, but for a State Public Service Commission, appointment is by the Governor of that state. Since the RPSC is Rajasthan's State Public Service Commission, its Chairman and other members are formally appointed by the Governor of Rajasthan. The same provision also explains the tenure rule relevant to this office: a member holds office for six years from entering office or until attaining 62 years of age in the case of a State Commission, whichever is earlier.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The President appoints members of the Union Public Service Commission or a Joint Commission, while Article 316 assigns State Public Service Commission appointments to the Governor of the state.
- (B) The Chief Minister may be part of the political executive's advice process, but Article 316 names the Governor, not the Chief Minister, as the formal appointing authority for a State Public Service Commission.
- (D) The Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court is not mentioned in Article 316 as an appointing authority for Public Service Commission members.
Concept
This tests the constitutional position of State Public Service Commissions under Article 316. It recurs in RAS because RPSC's appointment, tenure and institutional independence are core Rajasthan polity facts.