New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) today marked a historic milestone by entering its centenary year. Established in 1926 under the chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker, the Commission has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s civil services and recruiting top talent for the government. To celebrate this 100-year journey, the UPSC has launched year-long centenary celebrations starting with a first-of-its-kind live virtual town hall.
A First in UPSC’s History: Chairman Goes Live
For the first time ever, UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar is directly engaging with civil services aspirants across the country in a live town hall, streaming from 12 PM to 1 PM on the DD News YouTube channel.
This unprecedented interaction aimed to demystify the UPSC Civil Services Examination process, provide clarity on selection procedures, and allow students to ask questions directly to the top authority.
“This is a unique opportunity for UPSC and PSC aspirants,” said Ajay Kumar in a LinkedIn post ahead of the session. “You can hear the Chairman’s views and better understand the exam process.”
How Aspirants Can Participate and Ask Questions
Aspirants could ask their questions in two ways –
Live Questions (Oct 1, 12–1 PM)
Participants can post their questions live on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram using the official hashtag: #AskChairmanUPSC.
Pre-Submitted Questions (Sept 28–30)
UPSC had also invited questions in advance via text or video submissions to the official email: [email protected]
Selected questions are being taken up during the live session, offering clarity on exam stages, preparation strategies, evaluation methods, and more.
Why This Matters
This move by the UPSC marks a significant shift towards transparency, accessibility, and direct engagement with aspirants. With lakhs of candidates preparing for competitive exams each year, such initiatives are likely to build trust, address misconceptions, and humanize the selection process.
Moreover, it demonstrates the Commission’s willingness to adapt to modern communication tools and embrace digital platforms for public engagement.
- 100 Years of UPSC: A Brief Journey
- Founded: October 1, 1926
- First Chairman: Sir Ross Barker
- Current Chairman: Ajay Kumar (2025–Present)
Over the last century, UPSC has evolved into one of the most respected constitutional bodies in India, responsible for conducting exams such as –
- Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Engineering Services
- Combined Medical Services
- CDS, NDA, and others
The centenary year will include multiple public engagement events, publications, and knowledge-sharing sessions to celebrate its legacy.
