Part XXI - Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions • Article

Article 378 Simplified: Provisions as to Public Service Commissions

Article 378 governed the transition of public service commission members. It converted the Federal Public Service Commission into the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the provincial commissions into State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs), letting the existing members serve out their original terms.

Official Text

(1) The members of the Public Service Commission for the Dominion of India holding office immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall, unless they have elected otherwise, become on such commencement the members of the Public Service Commission for the Union and shall, notwithstanding anything in clauses (1) and (2) of article 316 but subject to the proviso to clause (2) of that article, continue to hold office until the expiration of their term of office as determined under the rules which were applicable immediately before such commencement to such members.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

To make sure government exams and jobs were handed out fairly, this rule turned the old exam commissions into the new Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions.

Student Mode

Article 378 governed the transition of public service commissions. Clause (1) converted the members of the Federal Public Service Commission into members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and let them serve out their remaining tenures. Clause (2) similarly transitioned provincial public service commissions into State PSCs.

Example

In 1950, civil service exams continued without delay because the commissioners of the Federal Public Service Commission automatically became members of the UPSC under Article 378, preserving the recruitment machinery.

Key Takeaway

Successfully transitioned dominion and provincial public service commissions into the UPSC and State PSCs, ensuring uninterrupted recruitment.

FAQs

What did the Federal Public Service Commission become under Article 378?

It became the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts civil service examinations today.

Did the transition rules of Article 378 interrupt ongoing civil service recruitments?

No. By automatically transitioning the commissioners and administrative staff, the recruitment process for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other civil services continued without disruption.

Quiz

Under Article 378, the Federal Public Service Commission was transitioned into which modern body?

Answer: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

What happened to the tenures of the public service commissioners under Article 378?

Answer: They continued to hold office until the expiration of their original terms