Article 316 of the Constitution of India governs the appointment and term of office of the Chairman and members of Public Service Commissions: the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commissions and Joint State Public Service Commissions.
Who appoints the Chairman and members?
- UPSC or a Joint Commission: appointed by the President.
- State Public Service Commission: appointed by the Governor of the State.
The first proviso to Article 316(1) requires that, as nearly as may be, one-half of the members of each Commission must be persons who, on their appointment, have held office for at least ten years under the Government of India or a State Government.
Article 316(1A) deals with vacancies and absence: when the office of Chairman is vacant or the Chairman cannot perform their duties, one of the other members, as the President or Governor appoints, performs those duties.
Term of office
Under Article 316(2), a member holds office for six years from the date of entering office, or until reaching the age limit, whichever is earlier:
- UPSC: 65 years.
- State Commission or Joint Commission: 62 years. The Constitution (Forty-first Amendment) Act, 1976 raised this from 60, so older judgments refer to 60 years.
A member may resign in writing (to the President for UPSC or a Joint Commission, to the Governor for a State Commission) and can be removed only in the manner provided in Article 317. Under Article 316(3), a person who has held office as a member is ineligible for re-appointment to that office at the end of the term.
अनुच्छेद 316 क्या है?
अनुच्छेद 316 लोक सेवा आयोगों के अध्यक्ष और सदस्यों की नियुक्ति और कार्यकाल से संबंधित है। संघ लोक सेवा आयोग (UPSC) और संयुक्त आयोग के सदस्यों की नियुक्ति राष्ट्रपति और राज्य लोक सेवा आयोग के सदस्यों की नियुक्ति राज्यपाल करते हैं। कार्यकाल छह वर्ष या आयु सीमा (UPSC के लिए 65 वर्ष, राज्य आयोग के लिए 62 वर्ष), जो पहले हो, तक होता है। लगभग आधे सदस्यों का सरकारी सेवा में कम से कम दस वर्ष का अनुभव होना चाहिए।
Related provisions
- Article 315: establishment of Public Service Commissions.
- Article 317: removal and suspension of members.
- Article 319: restrictions on holding office after ceasing to be a member, including the bar on further employment under the Government in specified cases.
- Article 320: functions of the Commissions.
Using Article 316
Article 316 questions are common in judicial services and civil services examinations, and in service disputes about the validity of appointments. Quote the text, then explain the appointing authority, the ten-year rule, the term and age limits, and the re-appointment bar. Browse the law guides library or read about Article 130.