RAS question
The Chairman of the UPSC is appointed by:
Correct answer: (C) President of India.
The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission is appointed by the President of India under Article 316 of the Constitution.
Explanation
Article 316 governs appointment to Public Service Commissions. The Chairman and other members of a Public Service Commission are appointed by the President in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, and by the Governor in the case of a State Commission. Since UPSC is the Union Public Service Commission, its Chairman is appointed by the President of India, not by the Prime Minister, Parliament, or the Chief Justice of India. Article 317 follows the same constitutional scheme: the Chairman or any other member may be removed by order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour after a Supreme Court inquiry and report.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The Prime Minister may head the Union Council of Ministers, but Article 316 assigns appointment of the UPSC Chairman to the President, not to the Prime Minister.
- (B) Parliament can legislate on many service matters, but Article 316 does not give Parliament the power to appoint the Chairman of the UPSC.
- (D) The Chief Justice of India has no appointment role under Article 316; the Supreme Court is relevant only to the removal inquiry mentioned in Article 317.
Concept
Articles 315 to 323 establish the constitutional design of Public Service Commissions. RAS repeatedly asks such appointment and removal provisions because they show how independent recruiting bodies are insulated from direct executive or legislative control.