Setting up a state public service commission at the provincial level was sanctioned by the Government of India Act, 1935. After the Indian Constitution came into force, the provincial establishments were granted constitutional status too. In lieu of the working of the Union Public Service Commission at the centre, the state governments are bestowed with overseeing the working of the State Public Service Commission. Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Indian constitution also deal with the different functionaries of the State Public Service Commission. The different working aspects include composition, the appointment of members, removal, and transfer of members, subjugating powers and functional authorities, and looking after that respective state’s independence.
About Public Service Commission (PSC)
In the table below, we have summarised all necessary information about State Public Service Commission
| Composition | 01 Chairman leads other members (There is no fixed number for the other commission members. The Governor of the State decides the number of members.) |
| Appointment By | Governor |
| Qualification | The constitution does not explicitly specify the qualification of the Chairman and other members. There are certain prevailing conditions – one-half of the committee members should be such persons who have held office positions for a minimum duration of ten years either under the government of India or the government of a respective state |
| Term | 6 years or till the member reaches the age of 62 years. After the 41st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, the retirement age was extended to 62 years from 60 years. |
| Resign To | Governor |
| Annual Report submitted to | The Governor receives the submission and later tables it for discussion before the State Legislature. |
| Removal of chairman and other members | By the President. They are appointed by the Governor but can be removed from their position only by the President of India. |
| Conditions for removal of chairman or other members by SPSC or President |
The Chairman or other members could also be removed from office on the grounds of misbehaviour or bad conduct. In such cases, normally, the President has to refer the matter to higher levels at the Supreme Court. |
| Reappointment after retirement | A chairperson who has previously served a term cannot continue under the same PSC, and he could be appointed as chairman or some other PSC or JPSC or chairman/ member of UPSC. A member cannot be re-appointed in the same PSC, and he could serve as the chairman under the same PSC in his successive term. He could also serve as the chairman or member of other PSC/ JPSC or UPSC. |
Functions of State Public Service Commission
Just like how UPSC performs a specific set of functions at the central level, the same functionaries are delegated and carried out by the State Public Service Commission at their respective states. In a nutshell, the State PSCs are bestowed with the following responsibilities:
- State level examinations for appointment of candidates to various services in the state.
- With regard to the department of personnel management, the following decisions shall be considered after due consultation:
- Different methods of selection and recruitment to appoint candidates for various state civil services and civil posts.
- Guiding principles to be followed while conducting the examinations.
- Guidelines while offering transfers and promotions from one service to another.
- Matters of general discipline and conduct.
Here, it is to be noted that State Public Service recommendations are regarded as advisory, and they are not deemed as final and binding.
Articles related to SPSC
Important articles in the context of the State Public Service commission are tabled below:
| Article Number | Subject Matter |
| 315 | Provision granting UPSC for the centre and SPSC for respective states. |
| 316 | For members and chairman, appointment and terms of service are mentioned. |
| 317 | Member removal and suspension guidelines. |
| 320 | PSC Functions |
| 321 | Listing of power for extending PSC functionalities. |
| 322 | PSC expenses |
| 323 | PSC Reports |
State Public Commissions of India – Headquarters & Official Website
The various State Public Service Commission along with their headquarters and their corresponding official websites, are enlisted below:
This detailed article about the state public service commissions gives very useful information to our readers.