Who appoints the members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India?

Introduction / Context:
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body responsible for conducting examinations and advising the government on recruitment to All India Services and central civil services. The method of appointment of its members is an important aspect of its independence and constitutional status. This question tests knowledge of which authority appoints UPSC members.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The body under discussion is the Union Public Service Commission.
• We are focusing on who appoints its members, not their tenure or removal.
• Options include key constitutional authorities and Parliament.
• We assume familiarity with basic constitutional provisions for independent commissions.

Concept / Approach:
Article 316 of the Constitution of India states that the Chairman and other members of a Public Service Commission shall be appointed by the President in the case of the Union Commission and by the Governor in the case of State Commissions. This design places the power of appointment at the highest formal executive level, maintaining a degree of independence from day to day political pressure. Parliament does not directly appoint members, nor does the Chief Justice or a selection committee mentioned in the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that UPSC is the Union level Public Service Commission. Step 2: Connect UPSC appointments with Article 316, which assigns appointment power to the President for Union Commissions. Step 3: Compare this with State Public Service Commissions, where the Governor has a similar role. Step 4: Choose President as the correct appointing authority from the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consulting the text of Article 316 confirms that the Chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission are appointed by the President. This is repeated in standard polity textbooks and official UPSC related documents. There is no mention of Parliament or the Chief Justice as appointing authorities, which verifies that the President is the only correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Parliament: Parliament may make laws about the conditions of service and functions of UPSC, but it does not directly appoint the members. Chief Justice of India: The Chief Justice plays a role in judicial appointments, not in appointing UPSC members. A special Selection Committee: The Constitution does not mandate any such committee for UPSC appointments. Prime Minister: Although the Council of Ministers may advise, the formal appointment is by the President, not by the Prime Minister in a direct legal sense.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners wrongly infer that Parliament appoints members because UPSC is a Union level body. Others confuse the advisory role of UPSC with that of higher judiciary and mistakenly think the Chief Justice is involved. It is helpful to remember a simple rule: for constitutional commissions like UPSC, Election Commission, and Finance Commission, the President is usually the appointing authority at the Union level, acting on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

Final Answer:
President