Part XIV: Services under the Union and States

Article 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States

Original Article:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, there shall be a Public Service Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for each State.

(2) Two or more States may agree that there shall be one Public Service Commission for that group of States, and if a resolution to that effect is passed by the House or, where there are two Houses, by each House of the Legislature of each of those States, Parliament may by law provide for the appointment of a Joint State Public Service Commission (referred to in this Chapter as Joint Commission) to serve the needs of those States.

(3) Any such law as aforesaid may contain such incidental and consequential provisions as may be necessary or desirable for giving effect to the purposes of the law.

(4) The Public Service Commission for the Union, if requested so to do by the Governor ¹*** of a State, may, with the approval of the President, agree to serve all or any of the needs of the State.

(5) References in this Constitution to the Union Public Service Commission or a State Public Service Commission shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as references to the Commission serving the needs of the Union or, as the case may be, the State as respects the particular matter in question.

Amendments:

¹The term "or Rajpramukh" was omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, effective from 1-11-1956.

Explanations:

Article 315 ensures the establishment of independent Public Service Commissions for both the Union and the States. It allows multiple states to share a commission, optimizing recruitment processes and fostering collaboration. These Commissions are vital for merit-based and transparent recruitment to public services.

Clause-by-Clause Explanation:

Clause (1): Establishment of Commissions

There shall be separate Public Service Commissions for the Union and each State to ensure efficient recruitment.

Clause (2): Formation of Joint Commissions

Allows two or more states to create a Joint Public Service Commission with parliamentary approval.

Clause (3): Provisions for Implementation

Parliament may include necessary provisions for the establishment and functioning of Joint Commissions.

Historical Significance:

Public Service Commissions have been pivotal in creating a transparent and merit-based recruitment system. The flexibility of forming Joint Commissions helps smaller states optimize resources while maintaining recruitment efficiency.