---
title: "UPSC: India's Central Recruitment Body | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts exams for IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, playing a crucial role in India's civil service recruitment."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/union-public-service-commission"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Union Public Service Commission is India's central constitutional body that conducts examinations and recommends candidates for appointment to the All India Services and Central Services.
- What is the constitutional basis of the UPSC and how is its independence protected?
- Is the UPSC's recruitment advice binding on the government?
- How does the UPSC differ from the Staff Selection Commission and State Public Service Commissions?
- What is lateral entry and why has it been controversial for the UPSC?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Timeline

1. 1 October 1926

   The Commission traces its lineage to the first Public Service Commission established on under recommendations of the Lee Commission (1924) and Section 96-C…

2. 26 January 1950

   The Commission traces its lineage to the first Public Service Commission established on 1 October 1926 under recommendations of the Lee Commission (1924) and…

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In August 2024 the Government of India withdrew a UPSC advertisement inviting lateral-entry applications for 45 senior posts after criticism that the openings bypassed constitutional reservation requirements.

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