PSC Full Form

PSC full form is the Public Service Commission. It is a central administration that is responsible for managing and administering the exams that are conducted for jobs under different categories. The Public Service Commission was set up under Article 315 to 323 of the constitution of India.

What is the Full Form of PSC?

The full form of PSC is Public Service Commission. The Public Service commission is established according to the Article 315 to 323 mentioned in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution. This particular set of articles also deals with appointment, removal and composition of members of PSC. It also grants different functions and powers to PSCs. The state has its own Public Service Commission with operations similar to the Union Public Service Commission. Apart from this, it is a challenging and tough job in any nation with multi-linguistic character, including India. In addition, the State Public Service Commission of the Indian government is correspondingly labeled as a constitutional body.

How Public Service Commission Functions?

Below are some of the points that describes more about the function of Public Service Commission:

• PSC was established for each state of India.
• PSC handles Guiding and coordinating the work of the District Service Commission under Article 166 (1) of the Constitution.
• The duty of PSC officers is to Hear and determine grievances from persons appointed by the District Service Commissions.
• Approve and appoint the Chairpersons and Members of District Service Commissions under Article 198 (2) of the Constitution.
• Appoint, confirm and exercise disciplinary control over Chief Administrative Officers and Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks of a City and Municipalities under Article 188 and 200 of the Constitution.  (Amendment Act 2005)
• Moreover, it is an absolute body that also deals with appointment, transfer and expulsion.
• Through this process, various regulations and protocols are prescribed for the organizational structure of the Public Service Commission.
• It is a public service that is generally working under the government administration.
• It has also regulated the Union Public Service Commission to conduct the exams for the posts from the overall India Services.

PSC and UPSC Exam Details

For the Union level, the commission is known as Union Public Service Commission that conducts exams for recruitment to Indian services at the national level and at higher Central services exams. For example, the IAS exam is conducted by the body called UPSC every year. This exam is an entry point to Group A and Group B services.

Whereas at the state level, this commission is known as the State Public Service Commission that belongs to a state authority and conducts exams for the recruitment of officers to state services. These officers provide suggestions and advice to the governor on various aspects of disciplinary matters. The UPSC members are nominated by the Governor.

The operations of the State Public Service Commission and the Union Public Service Commission are similar in nature. However, the Jurisdiction of UPSC is much wider in implications than that of State PSC. The UPSC exercises its jurisdiction over the entire nation, whereas the State Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction can be exercised within the domain of the state.

The PSC exams of various states are known by different names. For example, Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) which is conducted by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Kerala Administrative Services (KAS) is conducted by Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) and Provincial Civil Services (PCS) that is conducted by Uttar Pradesh Service Commission (UPPSC) and more such exams conducted by different body.

PSC Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from any recognised University or equivalent qualification
• Candidates must be between the age of 21-40 years
• Upper Age Relaxation is provided to the candidates belonging to reserved categories. Therefore, the criteria should be confirmed from the official website.
• Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications, which are recognized by the State Government as equivalent to a professional or technical degree
• The PSC exam eligibility also includes Physical Measurements/Fitness for certain posts. Candidates have to undergo a medical test after the interview to be considered eligible.
• The Eligibility Criteria differs for different State Level Exams. Therefore, the candidates are advised to check the Eligibility Criteria before applying for the PSC Exam from the official website.

Functions of PSC

The PSC's functions are mentioned in the Article 107 of the Indian constitution. The article provides authority to the PSC to recruit as well as remove public officers from the post. The functions of PSC can be further divided into two categories (a) Administrative function and (b) Advisory function.

Administrative Function- Administrative functions of the PSC focuses on recruiting all Civil Services posts that come under the ambit of the Union Government or the State Government. It recruits the PSC officers through written exams followed by the interview.

Advisory Function of PCS

 The Advisory functions include providing advice to the Government on various matters, such as-

• Related to the recruitment process and rules that are required to be followed during appointments to civil services. Also, while promoting or transferring officers from one department to another department, the advisory functions comes into effect
• Related to disciplinary matters that may affect the Government employees
• Matters related to ad-hoc appointments, the permission of extension of service and related to the re-employment of certain retired servants
• To provide advice on the subjects that are referred to it by the President of India as a genuine concern

Regulation for Public Service Commission’s

The Public Service Commission may not be consulted regularly for any standing cause. But, in case of special matters, the PCS officers are taken into consultation. If the Government official refers any specific matters to them, then the Public Service Commission can give advice or suggestions. Few of the regulations made for Public Service Commission officers are:

• The Public Service Commission officers are required to provide advice/suggestion on several matters which are referred to him by the President, the Governor of the state or any other Government official.
• With regard to all India Services and posts in connection with the State Government, the Public Service Commission officers are not consulted on the regular basis or in minor consultations, but under special circumstances by the authority. 
• The changes made by the Public Service Commision, the President or the Governor of the state must lay all the regulations before each of the houses of Parliament for not less than fourteen years.