Full Breakdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Highlights UPSC Centenary and Historical Legacy
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: UPSC Centenary Celebrations and Key Remarks
On October 1, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UPSC centenary at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He released a commemorative coin, a postage stamp and a book titled *100 Landmark Judgements: Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India*. Modi noted that freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose wrote his 1920 civil-services exam in Sanskrit, illustrating the commission’s evolution from its British-Raj origins.
Background & Context
The UPSC’s roots trace to the First Dispatch of the Government of India on March 5, 1919. The first Public Service Commission was created on October 1, 1926 under Sir Ross Barker. It became the Federal Public Service Commission under the 1935 Act and, after independence, the Union Public Service Commission. The Constitution of January 26, 1950 gave it status under Article 315.
Timeline
- March 5, 1919 – Dispatch outlines need for a permanent service body.
- October 1, 1926 – First Public Service Commission inaugurated; Sir Ross Barker appointed.
- January 26, 1950 – Constitution grants UPSC constitutional status.
- October 1, 2025 – Year-long centenary programme begins.
- October 1, 2026 – Modi’s address and release of commemorative items.
Data & Statistics
- The UPSC conducts about 250 recruitment examinations each year.
- Exam takers have risen 45-fold since 1976.
- Female participation grew from 3 % in 1952 to over 30 % today.
- Three of the four women UPSC chairpersons were appointed after 2014.
Official Statements & Responses
Modi urged that exams assess both knowledge and candidate motivation, invoking “nation first” and “citizen first.” He quoted “Nagrik Devo Bhava” to stress public service over public office. Citing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Modi said the “steel frame” he provided enabled the UPSC’s transformation into a pillar of independent India. He called for future civil servants to possess “innovative problem-solving” skills and adapt to AI-driven service delivery.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is a celebration of the trust that every Indian places in this institution. During this century-long journey, generations changed, governments changed, technology changed, and syllabi changed, yet the trust in the UPSC remains just as unwavering today, and that is one of your greatest assets,” — Narendra Modi
- “While I was looking at the gallery, I noticed that Subhas Chandra Bose had also appeared for this examination in 1920. The British were in power at the time, but he wrote the examination in Sanskrit,” — Narendra Modi
- “The steel frame that was needed for the reconstruction of the nation was provided by Sardar Patel,” — Narendra Modi
- “We have to give the country those professionals who find innovative ways out of difficult problems,” — Narendra Modi
- “In its 100-year history, three of the four women UPSC Chairpersons were appointed after 2014, showing expansion of opportunities,” — Narendra Modi
Why It Matters
The centenary highlights the UPSC’s role as the gateway to India’s civil services, shaping the administrative capacity that implements national policies. By linking historical continuity—from Bose’s Sanskrit paper to calls for motivated, tech-savvy candidates—Modi seeks to align recruitment with the expectations of a digitally connected electorate. The rise in female leadership and the emphasis on merit-based governance signal an intent to broaden representation as India moves into its second century of public-service recruitment.