Part XIV & XIVA - Services and Tribunals • Article

Article 323 Simplified: Reports of Public Service Commissions

Article 323 (Reports of Public Service Commissions) governs the Public Service Commissions (like UPSC and State PSCs). It details their setup, appointment of members, functions, expenses, and annual reports, ensuring they remain independent bodies that select candidates based purely on merit.

Official Text

(1) It shall be the duty of the Union Commission to present annually to the President a report as to the work done by the Commission and on receipt of such report the President shall cause a copy thereof together with a memorandum explaining, as respects the cases, if any, where the advice of the Commission was not accepted, the reasons for such non-acceptance to be laid before each House of Parliament. (2) It shall be the duty of a State Commission to present annually to the Governor *** of the State a report as to the work done by the Commission, and it shall be the duty of a Joint Commission to present annually to the Governor *** of each of the States the needs of which are served by the Joint Commission a report as to the work done by the Commission in relation to that State, and in either case the Governor ***, shall, on receipt of such report, cause a copy thereof together with a memorandum explaining, as respects the cases, if any, where the advice of the Commission was not accepted, the reasons for such non-acceptance to be laid before the Legislature of the State. [PART XIVA TRIBUNALS

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

The exam boards must write a report every year about their work. The President or Governor puts this report before Parliament or the State assembly. If the government ignored any advice from the board, they must explain exactly why they did it.

Student Mode

Establishes a mechanism of political accountability. The UPSC submits an annual report to the President, and State PSCs submit reports to their Governors. These reports must be laid before the respective legislatures along with an explanatory memorandum for any cases where the government did not accept the Commission's advice.

Example

When public money is collected, shared, audited, or spent, Article 323 explains the constitutional rule behind reports of public service commissions.

Key Takeaway

Article 323 anchors reports of public service commissions within India's constitutional system.

FAQs

To whom does the UPSC submit its annual report?

The UPSC submits its annual report to the President of India. The President then causes the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

What must the government do if it rejects any advice of a Public Service Commission?

Under Article 323, the government must submit an explanatory memorandum to the Parliament (or State Legislature) explaining the specific reasons why it rejected the Commission's advice. This ensures public accountability.

Who receives the annual report of a Joint Public Service Commission?

The Joint Commission must present its report annually to the Governors of each of the participating States, who then lay the report before their respective State Legislatures.

Quiz

To whom does the Union Public Service Commission present its annual report?

Answer: The President of India

The government must submit an explanatory memorandum explaining reasons for non-acceptance of PSC advice to:

Answer: The Legislature (Parliament/State Assembly)