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RAJASTHAN POLITY

Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)

October 14, 2024

 

  • First Public Service Commission in Rajasthan: Formed in Jodhpur.
  • Constitutional Body: Mentioned in Part 14 of the Constitution, from Article 315 to 323.
  • Establishment: August 20, 1949, in Jaipur. Later shifted to Ajmer on the recommendation of the Satyanarayan Rao Committee.
  • First President: S.K. Ghosh (Chief Justice).
  • First Full-Time President: S.C. Tripathi.
  • Current President: Bhupendra Yadav.
  • First Acting President: Shri L.L. Joshi.
  • First Secretary: Shri Shyamsunder Sharma.
  • First Lady Secretary: Smt. Autima Bordia.
  • Current Secretary: Shubham Choudhary (IAS).
  • Longest Tenure as President: D.S. Tiwari.
  • Shortest Tenure as President: P.S. Yadav (37 days).
  • Number of Members: 7 (Since 2011).

Organization of RPSC:

  • Provision: Chairman and 7 members.
  • Appointment: Chairman and members are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister under Article 316(1).
  • Composition: At least half the members must come from public services of the Union or state. Other members can be educationists, social workers, politicians, or lawyers.

Term of Office:

  • Tenure: 6 years or until the age of 62, whichever is earlier (age limit increased from 60 to 62 by the 41st Amendment).
  • Post-Term Restrictions:
    • After completing their term, the Chairman and members cannot hold any other office of profit in the state.
    • Members cannot be appointed to any other State Public Service Commission.
    • However, they can be appointed to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or other State Public Service Commissions in different capacities.

Resignation and Removal:

  • Resignation: Addressed to the Governor.
  • Removal Grounds:
    1. Malpractice
    2. Misuse of office
    3. Holding an office of profit
    4. Bankruptcy
    5. Physical or mental incapacity
  • Removal Process:
  • The President can initiate an inquiry by the Supreme Court, which can recommend removal after investigation.
  • The Governor has the authority to suspend the Chairman or members during the inquiry.

Salary and Allowances:

  • Chairman’s Salary: ₹2,25,000 per month.
  • Members’ Salary: ₹2,15,000 per month.
  • Source: Paid from the consolidated fund of the state.

Source of Powers:

  1. Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Condition of Service) Regulations 1951.
  2. Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Delimitation of Functions) Regulations 1951.
  3. Rajasthan Public Service Commission Rules and Regulations 1963.
  4. Rajasthan Public Service Commission Act 1976.

Functions of RPSC:

  • Organizes various state-level recruitments (e.g., RAS, SI, RFS).
  • Advises the state government on:
    1. Recruitment Methods.
    2. Promotion and Transfer Principles.
    3. Disciplinary proceedings against employees.
  • Submits annual reports to the Governor under Article 323(2).
  • Manages Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC).

Key Articles Related to Public Service Commissions:

  1. Article 315: Establishment of Public Service Commissions.
  2. Article 316: Appointment of members.
  3. Article 317: Dismissal and suspension of members.
  4. Article 320: Duties and functions of Public Service Commissions.
  5. Article 323: Report submission by the Commission to the Governor.
  6. Article 315(2): Joint Public Service Commissions for two or more states, constituted by the President on the request of those states.

Important Historical Facts:

  • RPSC First Chairman: S.K. Ghosh.
  • RPSC Transfer to Ajmer: Based on Satyanarayan Rao Committee’s recommendation after the reorganization of the state in 1956.
  • Current Composition: 1 Chairman + 7 Members.
  • Joint Public Service Commission: Established by the President on the request of two or more states under Article 315(2).

Additional Relevant Facts and Information about the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC):

Historical Context:

  • First Public Service Commission in British India: Established by the Government of India Act, 1935, to ensure a merit-based recruitment process for civil services.
  • Role of Public Service Commissions: Created to ensure that recruitment for government jobs is transparent, meritocratic, and free from political influence. The Constitution of India, through Articles 315 to 323, provided for the establishment of Public Service Commissions at both Union and State levels.

RPSC’s Role and Impact in Rajasthan:

  • Recruitment Process:
    • The Rajasthan Public Service Commission conducts recruitment exams for various posts in the state administration, including Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS), Sub-Inspectors (SI), Rajasthan Police Service (RPS), and other state-level positions in education, health, and other departments.
    • The recruitment is typically done through written exams followed by interviews and document verification.
  • RPSC Reforms and Digitalization:
    • Over the years, RPSC has implemented various reforms to streamline the recruitment process. This includes online application systems and digital examination processes to enhance transparency and reduce the likelihood of malpractices.
    • The introduction of online exam platforms for preliminary exams has significantly reduced logistical delays, making the process more efficient.
  • Constitutional Safeguards for Fair Recruitment:
    • Article 16 of the Constitution ensures equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment. RPSC upholds this principle by conducting exams that are open and transparent.
    • Article 320 lays down the duties of the Public Service Commission, including the conduct of exams for appointments to services and posts, advising the Governor on disciplinary matters, and consulting on recruitment processes and promotion policies.

Recruitment Exam Structure:

  • Preliminary Examination: Usually an objective-type exam that acts as a screening test. For instance, in the RAS exam, candidates are tested on General Knowledge, Current Affairs, and General Science.
  • Main Examination: Candidates who clear the preliminary exam appear for the descriptive Main Exam, which assesses their in-depth knowledge of subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Economics, particularly concerning Rajasthan.
  • Personal Interview: After clearing the Main Exam, candidates are interviewed to assess their personality, communication skills, and suitability for public service.

Promotion and Disciplinary Role of RPSC:

  • RPSC plays an important role in advising the state government on promotions, transfers, and disciplinary matters for state service officers.
  • The Commission is involved in overseeing Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) to ensure that promotions within the state services are carried out fairly and based on merit.
  • Article 320(3) mandates the RPSC to consult with the state government on disciplinary actions initiated against civil servants. This includes advice on suspension, termination, and other disciplinary measures.

Significant Regulations Governing RPSC:

  1. Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Condition of Service) Regulations 1951: Defines the service conditions, salaries, and tenure of RPSC members.
  2. Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Delimitation of Functions) Regulations 1951: Specifies the functions of the Commission, including the conduct of exams, consultation on appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
  3. Rajasthan Public Service Commission Rules and Regulations 1963: Lays down detailed procedures for recruitment and examination processes.
  4. Rajasthan Public Service Commission Act 1976: Strengthens the powers of the Commission and defines its duties in more detail, ensuring transparency in recruitment and selection processes.

Governance and Autonomy of RPSC:

  • Independence of RPSC: As a constitutional body, the RPSC operates independently of the state government in its day-to-day functioning. While the Governor appoints the Chairman and members of the RPSC on the advice of the Chief Minister, the Commission functions autonomously when it comes to recruitment and disciplinary matters.
  • Protection under the Constitution: Article 317 of the Constitution provides protection to the Chairman and members of the Public Service Commission from arbitrary dismissal, ensuring that they can function without political pressure.

Article 316 – Appointment Process:

  • The Governor of Rajasthan, on the advice of the Chief Minister, appoints the Chairman and members of RPSC under Article 316 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The President of India has the power to appoint the Chairman and members of a Joint Public Service Commission, should two or more states choose to share such a body, under Article 315(2).

Annual Reporting and Accountability:

  • Article 323 mandates that the RPSC submits an annual report to the Governor of Rajasthan. This report details the activities undertaken by the Commission, including recruitment processes, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions.
  • The report is tabled in the State Legislature, allowing the government to assess the Commission’s performance and take any necessary corrective measures.

Joint Public Service Commission (JPSC):

  • A Joint Public Service Commission can be created for two or more states. This is provided under Article 315(2), and such a commission is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the concerned states.
  • Currently, Rajasthan operates its own State Public Service Commission, but the provision for a JPSC exists if required.

Ethics and Conduct Guidelines for Members:

  • Members of RPSC, including the Chairman, must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. These include:
    • Not holding any office of profit after retirement or resignation.
    • Not engaging in activities that could be seen as a conflict of interest.
    • Being impartial and transparent in all recruitment processes.

Challenges Faced by RPSC:

  1. Backlog of Recruitment: Due to various administrative reasons, there is often a backlog of pending recruitments. RPSC has been working on streamlining the process to reduce delays.
  2. Litigation and Disputes: RPSC’s recruitment exams and decisions sometimes face legal challenges, particularly in cases related to reservation policies, exam malpractices, or discrepancies in results.
  3. Reservation Issues: Ensuring a fair and just implementation of reservation policies as per the constitutional mandate is a complex challenge, particularly with evolving judicial interpretations on quotas and merit.
  4. Digital Reforms: Although steps have been taken towards digitalization, expanding the reach of online recruitment processes and making the examination process more transparent remains a priority.

Notable Recruitments by RPSC:

  • Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS): One of the most prestigious exams conducted by RPSC. It selects candidates for administrative positions across the state.
  • Rajasthan Police Service (RPS): Conducted to recruit officers for Rajasthan’s police force.
  • Lecturer and Teacher Recruitments: RPSC also conducts exams for recruiting lecturers and teachers in various government schools and colleges in Rajasthan.

Recent Developments in RPSC:

  • Use of Technology: RPSC is increasingly adopting online examination systems and digital evaluation methods to enhance transparency and efficiency.
  • Focus on Gender Equality: RPSC has introduced measures to ensure gender equality in recruitment, offering opportunities to women across different sectors of public service.
  • Transparency Measures: To ensure transparency, RPSC has made provisions for candidates to access answer keys and contest any discrepancies in results through proper channels.

Key Articles and Related Provisions:

  1. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
  2. Article 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and States.
  3. Article 316: Appointment of Chairman and members of State Public Service Commissions.
  4. Article 317: Removal and suspension of a member or Chairman.
  5. Article 320: Functions of Public Service Commissions.
  6. Article 323: Reports submitted by Public Service Commissions to the Governor.

Contribution of RPSC to State Development:

  • Capacity Building: By selecting skilled and qualified personnel for government services, RPSC contributes directly to the capacity building of the state administration.
  • Merit-Based Recruitment: Ensures that government departments are staffed with individuals selected based on merit, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state services.
  • Support for Educational Institutions: RPSC plays a key role in the recruitment of educators, ensuring that schools, colleges, and universities in Rajasthan have qualified teachers and professors, thereby improving the state’s education system.

Questions Asked in Previous Years:

  1. In which article is it stated, “Subject to the provisions of this article, there shall be a Public Service Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for every State”?
    1. Article 174
    2. Article 248
    3. Article 315
    4. Article 310

 

  1. The Chairman and members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission are appointed by:
    1. The Union Council of Ministers
    2. The President on the advice of the Governor
    3. The Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister
    4. The President on the advice of the Prime Minister
  1. What is the tenure of the members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission?
    1. 6 years
    2. 6 years or 62 years of age, whichever ends earlier.
    3. Subject to the age of 62 years
    4. 6 years or 65 years of age, whichever ends earlier
  1. If the Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission wants to be relieved from his post, he will address his resignation to:
    1. The Prime Minister
    2. The President
    3. The Governor
    4. The Chief Minister
  1. The Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission can be suspended by:
    1. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan
    2. The Chief Secretary of Rajasthan
    3. The Governor of Rajasthan
    4. The Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court
  1. Who determines the number and service conditions of the members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission?
    1. The Governor
    2. The President
    3. The State Assembly
    4. The Chief Minister
  1. Under which article does the State Public Service Commission submit its report to the Governor of the respective state?
    1. Article 315
    2. Article 316
    3. Article 320
    4. Article 323
  1. When was the Rajasthan Public Service Commission constituted?
    1. 20th August 1949
    2. 1st November 1956
    3. 30th March 1948
    4. 26th January 1950
  1. Who was the first Chairman of Rajasthan Public Service Commission?
    1. S.K. Ghosh
    2. S.C. Tripathi
    3. D.S. Tiwari
    4. M.M. Verma
  1. After the reorganization of the state in 1956, on the recommendation of which committee was the Rajasthan Public Service Commission transferred to Ajmer?
    1. Satyanarayan Rao Committee
    2. Administrative Reforms Commission
    3. Sadiq Ali Committee
    4. None of these
  1. The total permitted number of members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, including the Chairman, is:
    1. 5
    2. 6
    3. 7
    4. 8
  1. Rajasthan Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman and how many members?
    1. Five
    2. Six
    3. Seven
    4. Eight
  1. Who appoints the Chairman of a Joint Public Service Commission for two or more states?
    1. The President of India on the recommendation of the Governors concerned.
    2. A committee of governors of all the states concerned.
    3. The President of India
    4. The Governor of the largest state
  1. Who among the following had the longest tenure as the Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission?
    1. C.R. Chowdhary
    2. D.S. Tiwari
    3. Yatindra Singh
    4. Mohammad Yacob
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)

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