🧾 Article 315 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States
📘 Meaning & Purpose:
Article 315 provides for the establishment of Public Service Commissions (PSCs) at:
-
The Union level → Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
-
The State level → State Public Service Commissions (SPSC)
These commissions are constitutional bodies responsible for recruitment and advising the government on service matters.
🔍 Key Provisions of Article 315:
Clause | Provision |
---|---|
(1) | There shall be: |
(a) A Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Union | |
(b) A Public Service Commission for each State | |
(2) | Two or more states may agree to have a Joint Public Service Commission (JPSC) |
(3) | The Parliament may regulate the service conditions and functioning of JPSCs |
🧠 Types of Public Service Commissions under Article 315:
Type | Name | Level | Example |
---|---|---|---|
National | UPSC | Union | Conducts IAS, IPS, IFS exams |
State-wise | SPSC (one for each State) | State | UKPSC (Uttarakhand), BPSC, etc. |
Joint | Joint Public Service Commission | Two or more States | Rarely used (e.g., in some NE states) |
📊 Summary Chart: Article 315
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Constitutional Body? | ✅ Yes – PSCs are constitutional bodies |
Purpose | Recruitment to civil services & advisory roles |
Who appoints members? | President (UPSC) / Governor (SPSC) |
Who can form JPSC? | Two or more states with President’s approval |
Established Under | Article 315 |
✅ Why Article 315 is Important:
-
Ensures independent recruitment to public services
-
Maintains merit-based selection
-
Protects against political interference in civil service appointments
📌 Example:
Scenario | Relevant Commission |
---|---|
Recruitment to Indian Forest Service (central) | UPSC |
Selection of Lecturers for State Colleges in Uttarakhand | UKPSC (State PSC) |
Two small states sharing PSC due to resources | JPSC |
Here is a well-organized 📊 Chart for Article 315 of the Indian Constitution, ideal for study, blogging, and competitive exam notes:
🧾 Article 315 – Public Service Commissions (PSCs)
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Article Number | 315 |
Title | Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States |
Purpose | Establishes UPSC, SPSC, and JPSC |
Constitutional Status | ✅ Yes – PSCs are constitutional bodies |
Types of PSCs | - UPSC (Union) - SPSC (State) - JPSC (Joint between states) |
Authority to Establish | - UPSC → Parliament - SPSC → Respective State - JPSC → Agreement between States + Parliament |
Appointments Made By | - UPSC → President of India - SPSC → Governor of State |
Functions | - Conduct exams for public service recruitment - Advise on promotions, transfers, disciplinary matters |
Regulated By | - Parliament (for UPSC & JPSC) - State Legislature (for SPSC) |
🧠 Quick Summary of the Types of PSCs under Article 315
PSC Type | Full Form | Jurisdiction | Example |
---|---|---|---|
UPSC | Union Public Service Commission | Entire India (Central Govt.) | IAS, IPS, IFS recruitment |
SPSC | State Public Service Commission | Individual States | UKPSC, BPSC, RPSC, etc. |
JPSC | Joint Public Service Commission | Two or more States | Rare (e.g., NE states if agreed) |
🧾 Visual Process Flow (Simplified)
👥 Government of India / State
↓
Establish PSCs under Article 315
↓
UPSC ← SPSC(s) → JPSC (optional for small states)
↓ ↓ ↓
National Services State Services Shared services for states
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