Chairman Dr. Manoj Soni administered oath to Dr. Dinesh Das as UPSC member

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On September 29, 2023, Dr. Dinesh Dasa took the oath of office and secrecy as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This oath was administered by UPSC Chairman Dr. Manoj Soni.

An Overview of the News

• Dr. Dinesh Dasa holds a PhD in Forest Law and Sustainable Development from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar and an M.Sc. in Forestry (Agroforestry and Ecology) from Gujarat Agricultural University, Navsari.

• Dr. Dasa served as the Chairman of Gujarat Public Service Commission from February 2016 to January 2022.

• He was also the Chairman of the Standing Committee of All India Public Service Commission from December 2020 to January 2022.

Standing Committee of All India Public Service Commission:

• The Standing Committee consists of 9 members representing all the 28 State Public Service Commissions. It coordinates with UPSC on various matters.

• Dr. Dasa chaired the drafting committee responsible for creating model syllabus and examination pattern for civil services examinations in the states.

• The draft proposed by the committee of Dr. Dinesh Dasa received significant approval during the 20th National Conference of Chairman of all State Public Service Commissions held on 12-13 January, 2018 in Goa.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):

• UPSC is a central recruitment agency in India and functions as an independent constitutional body.

• Under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament is empowered to establish All India Services with recruitment by UPSC. State level administrative services recruitment is controlled by State Public Service Commissions.

• The composition, appointment, removal, powers and functions of UPSC are defined in Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the Indian Constitution.

UPSC Member Provisions:

• The President appoints both the Chairman and other members of the UPSC.

• A UPSC member serves for a term of six years or until he reaches the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

• Once a person holds the post of UPSC member, he is not eligible for reappointment.

• Members can resign by submitting written resignation to the President of India.

• The Chairman or any UPSC member can be removed from his office only by order of the President of India.

• The President has the power to suspend the Speaker or any other member before the expiry of their term, subject to reference to the Supreme Court.