🧾 Article 319 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Prohibition as to the holding of offices by members of Commission on ceasing to be such members
📘 Purpose:
Article 319 restricts future employment of the Chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions (SPSC) after their term ends.
This ensures that they remain independent and impartial while in office.
🔍 Key Provisions of Article 319:
| Position Held | What They Can or Cannot Be Appointed As After Their Term |
|---|---|
| Chairman of UPSC | ❌ Cannot hold any further office under the Government of India or any State Government |
| Member of UPSC | ✅ Can become Chairman of UPSC, but ❌ cannot take any other office under the Government |
| Chairman of SPSC | ❌ Cannot hold any office under the Government of India or any State Government |
| Member of SPSC | ✅ Can become Chairman of that State's PSC or Chairman/member of UPSC, but ❌ no other post |
📊 Summary Chart: Article 319
| PSC Role (Completed Term) | Can Become | Cannot Become |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Chairman | ❌ No further govt. post (Central or State) | Any other office |
| UPSC Member | ✅ UPSC Chairman | Any other office |
| SPSC Chairman | ❌ No further govt. post (Central or State) | Any other office |
| SPSC Member | ✅ Chairman of that SPSC ✅ UPSC Chairman or Member | Any other office |
🧠 Why Article 319 is Important:
-
Ensures independence of PSC members from executive pressure
-
Prevents conflict of interest and influence by future job prospects
-
Maintains public trust in the integrity of recruitment processes
✅ Example Scenarios:
| Scenario | Allowed Under Article 319? |
|---|---|
| UPSC member becomes UPSC Chairman | ✅ Yes |
| UPSC Chairman becomes Governor after retirement | ❌ No |
| SPSC member becomes UPSC member | ✅ Yes |
| SPSC Chairman becomes IAS officer after term | ❌ No |
Here is a 📊 Comparison Chart of Article 319 – explaining the future employment restrictions on UPSC and SPSC members:
🧾 Article 319 – Future Employment Restrictions for PSC Members
| Position Held (After Term) | Can Be Appointed As | Cannot Be Appointed As | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC Chairman | ❌ No further government office (Central or State) | ✅ Any Govt. office (post-retirement) | Central Govt. |
| UPSC Member | ✅ Chairman of UPSC | ❌ Any other government post (State or Central) | Central Govt. |
| SPSC Chairman | ❌ No further government office (Central or State) | ✅ Any Govt. office (post-retirement) | State Govt. |
| SPSC Member | ✅ Chairman of same SPSC ✅ Chairman or Member of UPSC | ❌ Any other government post (State or Central) | State Govt. |
✅ Quick Summary of Rules in Article 319
| Role | Promotion Allowed? | Other Govt. Jobs Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Member | ✅ Can become UPSC Chairman | ❌ No other job |
| UPSC Chairman | ❌ No promotion | ❌ No other job |
| SPSC Member | ✅ Can become SPSC Chair ✅ Can join UPSC | ❌ No other job |
| SPSC Chairman | ❌ No promotion | ❌ No other job |
🧠 Why It Matters:
-
Ensures neutrality and independence of PSC members
-
Prevents members from being influenced by future rewards or appointments
-
Maintains the integrity of recruitment to public services
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