New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced plans to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) as a repository of best practices and innovations in public service recruitment exams. This is a part of the UPSC’s upcoming centenary celebrations which will begin 1 October.
UPSC chairperson Ajay Kumar made the announcement to this effect during a video conference with chairpersons and members of state public service commissions. UPSC members Dinesh Dasa and Anuradha Prasad were also present at the meeting organised to seek participation and cooperation of state PSCs for the UPSC’s centenary celebrations.
“The idea of the Centre of Excellence will serve as a knowledge hub of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), innovations, and key takeaways from UPSC and State PSCs,” Ajay Kumar said.
He emphasised that while the UPSC would take the lead in setting up this CoE, the active contribution of state PSCs in knowledge-sharing and best practices will be crucial. He also invited inputs and suggestions from all the chairpersons of the PSCs for the proposed CoE.
The CoE, Kumar added, will not only benefit UPSC and state PSCs but also assist other national recruitment bodies in strengthening their examination and selection processes.
He also talked about the “robust character of India’s recruitment system under which lakhs of talented youth have been selected over decades to serve the nation through both UPSC and State PSCs”.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) proposes to Establish Centre of Excellence as Repository of Best Practices; Centenary Celebrations to Begin from October 2025#UPSC proposes to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a repository of best practices of UPSC and various… pic.twitter.com/7Srf1S58m3
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The UPSC was established on 1 October 1926 and the centenary celebrations provide a moment to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of public service recruitment, he said.
During the meeting, the chairman also recalled the success of the ‘Pratibha Setu’ portal through which UPSC civil services exam candidates who reached the interview stage but could not make it to the final list are given opportunities for recruitment in semi-government, quasi-judicial, and private organisations.
State PSCs also shared suggestions in the meeting, particularly the need to increase awareness about public service examinations in aspirational districts, many of which still witness low participation.
Members highlighted that regions that witness low participation have an immense talent pool but limited access to information, guidance and resources.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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