Celebrating UPSC results on caste lines unfortunate: Sharad Goel

The Union Public Service Commission of India (UPSC) was established on October 1, 1926, to select and appoint officers to posts of Administrative and Higher Services at the national level. At that time, the examinations were held in England. The Union Public Service Commission was established after the independence of India and was given constitutional status on January 26, 1950. To ensure that the Commission does not work under the influence of any other authority, it was given autonomy along with its constitutional status. The members of the Commission, who are appointed by the Hon’ble President of India, have minimum 10 years of experience working with any public service agency. The tenure of the membership is of 6 years or 65 years of age, whichever comes first. The members may resign from their membership by appealing to the President of India who has the right to even dismiss any member if found guilty of contempt of office and for indulging in unethical acts.

Over the years, thousands of individuals have cleared the UPSC examinations. This year the results were declared on August 4, in which 829 individuals from across the country cleared the examinations. Of these 304 were from the General category, 78 from EWS, 254 from OBC, 129 from SC and 67 from ST. These bright individuals then applied to various Administrative Services. Of the total 180 applied to IAS, 24 to IRS, 150 to IFS, 438 to Central Services Group A and 135 to Central Services Group B.

No accusation of any major corruption has ever been made on the Commission and it is revered throughout India. However, after the recent results of the UPSC examinations, a lot of people circulated the names of the successful candidates belonging to their caste on social media, with great pride, honor and admiration.

But I think differently, I personally believe that the officers appointed by the UPSC should not be seen on caste lines. When the name of the Commission is the Union Public Service Commission, then how can the officers selected by it serve any individual caste, community or region? Those who belong to the caste and fraternity of the candidates, just want to encash the success of the candidates by giving them praise for their own political and ulterior motives. What I would want to ask such people is how many of them actually helped or supported the candidates, who generally come from lower middle class or middle class families and need financial and social support, during the days of their preparations? It would be best if everyone comes forward to help the students, irrespective of their caste or community, who despite having the potential to clear the UPSC exams are limited by their means.

But unfortunately people go to the homes of the successful candidates of their caste and offer them sweets, get photos clicked with them and promote them on different social media mediums.

I urge the Union Public Service Commission to take a revolutionary step and stop publishing the surnames of the selected candidates. The Commission can keep detailed records for their internal use. However public display of the surnames of the officers should be stopped. The Union Public Service Commission should make a declaration in its application itself that the students will not use their surname after passing the examination. I appeal to our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble President and the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, that this suggestion be implemented as it will prove to be an important milestone to divide the country in name of caste, community and region. It is possible that people with divisive agenda might call this an invasion of personal freedom but in time to come this step will be praised all across the nation.