The first Indian Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission was:

Kripalani. H.K. Kripalani became the first Indian Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission in 1947, shortly before independence, and continued as its chairman into the early years after independence.

History of the public service commission in India:

• The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for a Public Service Commission.
• The Lee Commission (1924) recommended its early establishment.
• The Public Service Commission was first set up on 1 October 1926.
• Under the Government of India Act, 1935, it became the Federal Public Service Commission.
• After the Constitution came into force in 1950, it was renamed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

About H.K. Kripalani:

• He was a senior member of the Indian Civil Service.
• He became Chairman in April 1947, during the transition to independence.

He was succeeded by R.N. Banerjee in 1949.

Constitutional status of the UPSC:

• The UPSC is a constitutional body under Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV.
• The Chairman and members are appointed by the President.
• They can be removed by the President on grounds such as insolvency or misbehaviour, after an inquiry by the Supreme Court in the case of misbehaviour.

Functions of the UPSC:

• Conducting examinations for appointment to the All India Services and central services.
• Advising the government on recruitment rules, promotions, transfers and disciplinary matters.
• Conducting interviews for direct recruitment.

Independence of the UPSC:

• The conditions of service of members cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.
• After retirement, the Chairman cannot hold any further employment under the Government of India or a state government.

Women in the UPSC:

Rose Millian Bathew (Kharbuli) was the first woman Chairperson of the UPSC.

Why not the other options?

R.N. Banerjee succeeded H.K. Kripalani.

K.R. Damle and N. Govindarajan were later chairmen.