Under which Article of the Constitution of India is the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) established as a constitutional body?

Introduction / Context:

The Union Public Service Commission, commonly known as UPSC, is a key constitutional body in India responsible for conducting examinations and recruitment for various prestigious posts in the Union Government. For Indian polity and constitution based examinations, it is very important to know under which specific Article of the Constitution this body is created, because that reflects its constitutional status, independence, and powers. This question directly tests your knowledge of the exact Article that provides for the establishment of the Union and State Public Service Commissions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the constitutional basis of the Union Public Service Commission.
• We must identify the correct Article number from the options.
• Options include Article 315, Article 250, Article 300, and Article 52, along with one additional distractor.
• We assume the standard text of the Constitution of India as amended.

Concept / Approach:

The relevant portion of the Constitution is Part XIV, which deals with Services under the Union and the States. Within this Part, Article 315 clearly states that there shall be a Public Service Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for each State or for groups of States. Because the Union body is the UPSC, it is established under Article 315. The other Articles listed in the options belong to different parts of the Constitution and refer to different topics, so they can be eliminated by recalling their subject matter.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

An alternative verification technique is to remember that Articles in the 320s, like Article 324, deal with the Election Commission, while Articles in the early 300 range, like Article 300, refer to legal proceedings. Public Service Commissions are grouped under Articles 315 to 323. Therefore, if you can recall this range, you immediately know that the correct Article must fall in this band and specifically 315 for establishment. This cross checking using the grouping of Articles in the Constitution confirms that Article 315 is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Article 250 is concerned with the power of Parliament to legislate on any matter in the State List when a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, so it has no connection with UPSC. Article 300 is related to legal proceedings by or against the Union or a State. Article 52 describes the President of India. Article 324 deals with the powers and functions of the Election Commission of India, which is another constitutional body but is not a Public Service Commission. Hence all these Articles are unrelated to the creation of UPSC.

Common Pitfalls:

Many learners confuse Article 315 with Article 320, because Article 320 talks about the functions of Public Service Commissions. Some also mix up Article 315 with Article 324, since both UPSC and the Election Commission are constitutional bodies. To avoid this, remember a simple association: 315 for the establishment of Public Service Commissions and 320 for their functions, while 324 is exclusively for the Election Commission.

Final Answer:

The Union Public Service Commission is established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India.