How can State PSCs be reformed

Source: The post “How can State PSCs be reformed” has been created, based on “How can State PSCs be reformed” published in “Indian Express” on 24 November 2025. How can State PSCs be reformed.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2- Polity

Context: State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) are responsible for recruitment to various government posts at the state level.Every year, examinations conducted by State PSCs face controversies, forcing aspirants to approach courts, which delays the recruitment process and erodes public trust. These problems are primarily due to structural and procedural lapses prevalent in most State PSCs.

History of PSCs

1. Origin: PSCs in India have their roots in the country’s struggle for independence, where merit-based entry into civil services was a key demand.
2. Montagu-Chelmsford Report: The report of 1919 recommended the establishment of a permanent, politically neutral authority to regulate civil service matters.
3. Formation of PSCs: The first Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was formed in 1926, and the Government of India Act, 1935, provided for PSCs in each province
4. Constitutional Provision: The Constitution retained these provisions, resulting in the UPSC at the national level and PSCs in each state.

Structure of PSCs

1. UPSC Structure: The UPSC functions in a relatively apolitical environment, with members appointed based on merit and experience, including representation from all zones of the country.
2. Experience Requirement: Most UPSC members are above 55 years and possess extensive experience in public affairs.
3. State PSC Structure: State PSCs operate in politically influenced environments, and the appointment process often lacks transparency, minimum qualification requirements, or age criteria.
4. Resource Constraints: Many states do not have a dedicated Ministry of Personnel, and financial constraints often delay recruitment, leading to irregular notifications of vacancies.

Working of PSCs

1. UPSC Practices: The UPSC regularly revises its syllabus, forms expert committees including academicians and civil servants, and follows inter-se moderation of scores to minimize subjectivity.
2. State PSC Practices: State PSCs rarely revise syllabi, have limited access to academic expertise, and face challenges in implementing complex vertical, horizontal, and zonal reservations, leading to frequent litigation.
3. Impact on Credibility: These systemic issues contribute to delays, complaints, and declining credibility of State PSCs.

Challenges Faced by State PSCs

1. Lack of Regular Syllabus Revision: Committees for syllabus updates are rarely appointed, leading to outdated examinations.
2. Limited Academic Resources: PSCs are often constrained to faculty within the state, reducing question quality and evaluation fairness.
3. Evaluation Issues: Difficulty in implementing inter-se moderation of marks increases subjectivity in results.
4. Reservation Complexity: Vertical, horizontal, and zonal reservations add procedural challenges and create frequent litigation.
5. Inconsistent Examination Schedule: Irregular notifications and postponed recruitment due to manpower and financial constraints erode trust.
6. Regional Knowledge Gap: Testing state-specific areas like history, economy, and geography is challenging due to limited faculty expertise.
7. Translation Issues: Translation of question papers can lead to errors affecting candidate performance.
8. Inadequate Supervision: Secretaries often lack prior experience in education administration, reducing the effectiveness of the examination branch.

Suggested Reforms

1. Manpower Planning: State governments should create a dedicated Ministry of Personnel to enable systematic manpower planning and prepare a five-year roadmap for recruitment.
2. Age Criteria: The minimum age for appointment as a PSC member should be 55 years and the maximum age 65 years.
3. Qualification Requirement: Official members should be retired senior civil servants of at least Secretary rank, and non-official members should have at least ten years of experience in recognized professions such as law, medicine, or engineering.
4. Consultation in Appointment: Pre-consultation with the Leader of Opposition should be mandatory for non-official appointments, and a state-wide panel of eminent persons should be periodically updated.
5. Syllabus Revision: Syllabi should be revised periodically following UPSC standards, with public consultation. Regional knowledge should be tested in objective format while main examinations can mix objective and subjective papers.
6. Question Paper Translation: Translation of question papers should use technology and human oversight to ensure accuracy. Question patterns should be regularly changed to reduce misuse of AI tools.
7. Secretary Appointment: The Secretary of the State PSC should be a senior officer with prior experience in education administration to ensure effective supervision of the examination process.
8. Transparency and Confidentiality: Transparency and confidentiality in the examination process should be balanced, following the UPSC model.

Conclusion: Implementing these reforms will enhance the efficiency and credibility of State PSCs. With proper structural, procedural, and administrative changes, State PSCs can function on par with the UPSC, ensuring merit-based recruitment and reducing litigation.

Question: State Public Service Commissions play a vital role in recruitment at the state level. Discuss the structural and procedural challenges faced by State PSCs in India and suggest reforms to enhance their efficiency and credibility.