New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has proposed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a repository of best practices from UPSC and various state Public Service Commissions (PSCs). This initiative is part of the UPSC’s upcoming centenary year celebrations, Union Public Service Commission Chairman Ajay Kumar announced on Wednesday.
The proposed Centre of Excellence will serve as a knowledge hub, hosting standard operating procedures (SOPs), innovations, and key takeaways from UPSC and state PSCs. While UPSC will take the lead in setting up the CoE, Kumar emphasized that active contributions from state PSCs in knowledge-sharing and best practices will be crucial.
Kumar also invited inputs and suggestions from all PSC chairpersons to help shape the proposed Centre of Excellence. He added that the CoE will benefit not only UPSC and the state PSCs but will also assist other national recruitment bodies in strengthening their examination and selection processes.
**Announcement and Meeting Details**
Chairman Ajay Kumar made the announcement during a virtual meeting with chairpersons and members of state PSCs. The meeting, held in the presence of UPSC members Dinesh Dasa and Anuradha Prasad, aimed to seek participation and cooperation of state PSCs for the UPSC’s centenary year celebrations, scheduled from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2026.
Highlighting the shared vision of recruiting efficient, impartial, and competent civil servants, Kumar recalled the robust character of India’s recruitment system. He noted that over the decades, lakhs of talented youth have been selected through both UPSC and state PSCs to serve the nation.
Kumar reminded participants that UPSC was established on October 1, 1926. The centenary celebrations provide an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of public service recruitment in India.
**Key Highlights from the Meeting**
During the meeting, the UPSC chairman also recalled the success of the ‘Pratibha Setu’ portal. The portal helps candidates who reached the interview stage but did not make the final list to find recruitment opportunities in semi-government, quasi-judicial, and private organisations, reflecting UPSC’s commitment to wider talent utilisation.
Participants from several state PSCs provided valuable suggestions, particularly regarding the need to increase awareness about public service examinations in aspirational districts. According to the UPSC statement, many of these districts still see low participation despite having immense talent.
Members from the state PSCs highlighted barriers such as limited access to information, guidance, and resources, which often prevent deserving youth from these regions from competing effectively. They emphasized that greater outreach initiatives, awareness campaigns, and mentoring programmes are essential to bridge this gap.
The participants agreed that such efforts would make India’s recruitment system more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the country’s diversity. This, in turn, will strengthen the pipeline of future civil servants across all regions, including the most remote and underrepresented districts.
**Further Participation and Initiatives**
UPSC Member Dinesh Dasa invited state PSCs to participate in exhibitions showcasing the best practices adopted in their respective states. He also encouraged them to organise awareness programmes as part of the centenary celebrations.
Dasa stressed that joint participation by both UPSC and state PSCs in these initiatives would demonstrate collective trust in the recruitment system. This collaboration is expected to inspire aspirants nationwide, who continue to look towards these institutions with great faith and hope.
The virtual meeting saw active participation from chairpersons and members of 27 state PSCs, underscoring widespread engagement in the centenary preparations.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/upsc-to-establish-centre-of-excellence-as-repository-of-best-practices-ahead-of-centenary-year-celebrations
