The functions of the Public Service Commissions, such as conducting examinations for appointments to services and advising on disciplinary matters, are laid down in:

Article 320 lays down the functions of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the State Public Service Commissions.

Functions under Article 320:

• To conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union and the States.
• To advise the government on matters relating to methods of recruitment to civil services and posts.
• To advise on the principles to be followed in making appointments, promotions and transfers, and on the suitability of candidates.
• To advise on all disciplinary matters affecting a person serving the government, including memorials and petitions.
• To advise on any other matter referred to it by the President or the Governor.

Exclusions:

• The President or the Governor can make regulations specifying matters on which the Commission need not be consulted.
• The Commission is not consulted on reservations of appointments for backward classes, or on the claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Nature of its advice:

The advice of the Commission is not binding on the government; but if the government does not accept the advice, the reasons must be explained to Parliament or the state legislature in the annual report.

The UPSC:

• It is a constitutional body; Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States.
• It consists of a Chairman and other members appointed by the President, who hold office for six years or until the age of 65.
• It was set up on 1 October 1926 as the Public Service Commission, on the recommendation of the Lee Commission, and became the Federal Public Service Commission in 1937 and the UPSC in 1950.
• Its office is at Dholpur House, New Delhi.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 315 provides for the Public Service Commissions; Article 316 deals with the appointment and term of members; Article 323 with the reports of the Commissions.