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PSC Full Form

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PSC Full Meaning

PSC full meaning Public service commission. PSC is a central administration that is responsible for managing the examinations that are conducted for jobs under different categories. The establishment of the Public Service Commission for the union and public service commission of each state is set up under Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the constitution of India. A similar set of articles (315 to 323 in Part XIV) of the constitution also deals with the composition, appointment, and removal of all members, power, and function, and independence of PSC.


What is the Full Form of PSC?

The PSC exam's full form is Public Service Commission.

PSC History

The PSC came into existence for the first time in 1926 when the Central Public Service Commission was established under the Government of India Act,1919. After April 1, 1937, the PSC was named again as the Federal Public Service Commission on the inception of the Government of India Act,1935. This Act had also made the provision for the creation of the Provisional Public Service Commission. 

Article 315 (1) of the Constitution states that there shall be a Public Service Commission for both the Union and state. Two or more states may agree that there shall be one Public Service Commission for that group of states, and if the resolution to this effect is passed by the House, or where there are two houses of the legislature of each of these states, Parliament by law may provide the appointment of Joint Public Service Commission.

PSC Long Form

PSC's long-form is Public Service Commission. For the union, this commission is known as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) where for the state it is known as the state public service commission (SPSC). 


The Union Public Service Examination is responsible to conduct examinations for recruitment to all Indian service and higher Central service and to advise the President on disciplinary matters. For example, the IPS exam is conducted by UPSC every year. The IPS examination is an entry point to Group A and Group B of central services.


On other hand, the State Public Service Commission in each state is responsible to conduct examinations for recruitment to state service and to advise the governor on disciplinary matters.


The jurisdiction of UPSC is much wider than that of the State PSC. The UPSC jurisdiction is exercised over the entire country whereas the SPSC jurisdiction is exercised within the state.


The PSC exam of different states is identified by different names. For example, the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) exam is conducted by Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC), the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam is conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), and Provision Civil Service (PCS) exam is conducted by Uttar Pradesh Service Commission (UPSC). 

PSC Tenure

The members of the Public Service Commission shall hold office for 6 years. Unless, the members attain the age of 65 in the Union Commission and 60 in State Commission, whichever is earlier. If he attains the retirement age, in such case he has to retire even before the expiry of the normal terms of 6 years. 

PSC Composition

The total number of members constituting the Union Public Service Commission or of a  Joint Public Service commission and the condition of their service are determined by the President of India in case of UPSC and by the Government of State in case of SPSC. 


The authorized strength of the  Union Public Service Commission including the chairman is 10:9 members and 1 chairman whereas the State Public Service Commission has 3 to 4 members besides the chairman. The members of UPSC are appointed by the President of India whereas the members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor of India.

PSC Requirements

It is stated in the Constitution that one-half of the members of the Commission, Union, or State must have held office for a minimum of 10 years either under the Government of India or under the Government of State. 

PSC Functions

PSC long-form Public Service Commission functions are divided into two categories. The two categories are:

  • Administrative Functions

  • Advisory Functions

The Administrative Function is responsible for recruiting all the Civil services and posts that fall under the Union Government of State Government by written examination, or and by interview.


The Advisory function included advising the Government on all the following matters:  

  • Concerning recruitment methods, and principles or rules to be followed in making appointments to civil services and posts and making promotions and transfers from one service to another.

  • All disciplinary events affecting government employees.

  • Concerning situation like appointment regularization

  • Concerning short-term appointment of PSC members for the period of more than one year but not more than three years, grant of extension of service, and reemployment of certain retired servants.

  • To provide advice on matters that are specifically related to the president of India. 

  • Any claim by or in respect of persons who are servants or have worked under the government in a civil capacity.

  • For reimbursement of any expenses incurred by them in protecting any legal disputes instituted against them in respect of their official acts or any claims for the awards of compensations with respect to the injuries sustained by the Government services while on duty.

It shall be the duty of the commission to advise on all the above matters. However, the president and government make regulations describing the matters in which, either generally or in any specific situation the Commission may not be consulted Article [203(3)].


The PSC functions are only advisory and the constitution has no provision to make this function regulatory upon the Government to act upon the advice of commission in any situation.


FAQs on PSC Full Form

1. What is the long form of PSC?


Ans: The long-form of PSC is the Public Service Commission. PSC was mandated to assist various respective state governments in matters of recruitment, transfers, and disciplinary action. PCS conducts recruitment examinations that act as an entry point for candidates looking to be employed in the service of state administration. PCS should not be confused with UPSC, where UPSC stands for United Public Service Commission and is the commission mandated by the constitution for appointment to the service of union and  All India service.PSC is responsible for conducting State Level Exams while UPSC is responsible for conducting Central level.


2. What is the full name of PSC?


Ans: The full name of PSC is Public Service Commission.


3. What is the long-form of PSC?


Ans: The long-form of PSC is the Public Service Commission. PSC was mandated to assist various respective state governments in matters of recruitment, transfers, and disciplinary action. PCS conducts recruitment examinations that act as an entry point for candidates looking to be employed in the service of state administration. PCS should not be confused with UPSC, where UPSC stands for United Public Service Commission and is the commission mandated by the constitution for appointment to the service of union and  All India service.PSC is responsible for conducting State Level Exams while UPSC is responsible for conducting Central level.


4. From where candidates can find the syllabus for PSC?


Ans: Every state PSC has its official website where it releases notifications for the relevant PSC examinations. Candidates are requested to regularly check their state PSC official website to get immediate notifications about relevant exam dates, exam syllabus, mode of examination, and other important announcements. Candidates must look for the appropriate study material as per the syllabus issued by the particular state PSC for the PSC examination they want to attempt.


5. What are the roles and functions of PSC?


Ans: The main of the Public Service Commission or PSC is to make appointments to public offices and to remove and exercise disciplinary control over person holdings or acting such offices.

The roles and functions of PSC are:

  • Recruitment

  • Promotion

  • Dismissals

  • Resignation

  • Reclassifications

  • Transfer

  • Secondment


6. Can a candidate being domicile of one state take an examination in another state?


Ans: Yes, Article 19 gives freedom to the Indian citizens to work and settle anywhere in the country. However one must make sure that certain states’ PSC requires candidates to write an exam in the State’s local language, i.e., Hindi in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, and Marathi in Maharashtra Public Service Commission. Candidates must make sure that they are fluent in the state’s language, where they want to attempt for PSC examination.