Article 315 Of The Indian Constitution

Article 315 of the Indian Constitution establishes the Public Service Commissions for the Union and for each state.

The purpose of these commissions is to ensure that appointments to the various civil service positions in the government are made in a fair and transparent manner, based on merit and without bias or discrimination.

The commissions are responsible for conducting exams and interviews for candidates seeking to join the civil service, and for making recommendations for appointment to the appropriate authorities.

The commissions are also responsible for disciplining members of the civil service, and for providing advice to the government on matters related to the civil service.

Let us dig deep into Article 315 of the Indian Constitution and get to know all the concepts related to it. 

Article 315 Of The Indian Constitution – In Detail 

We will break down each and every clause present in it to have an in-depth understanding of what is being said and done. 

Clause 1 – As It Is – Explained 

(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, there shall be a Public Service

Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for each State.

The first clause of Article 315 of the Indian Constitution says that with respect to the provisions of Article 315, there will be a Public Service Commission for the Union and Public Service Commission for each state.  

Clause 2 – As it is & Explained  

(2) Two or more States may agree that there shall be one Public Service

Commission for that group of States, and if a resolution to that effect is passed

by the House or, where there are two Houses, by each House of the Legislature

of each of those States, Parliament may by law provide for the appointment of a

Joint State Public Service Commission (referred to in this Chapter as Joint

Commission) to serve the needs of those States.

The second clause of Article 315 of the Indian Constitution says that the Parliament may by law provide for the appointment of a Joint State Public Service Commission (referred to in this Chapter as Joint Commission) to serve the needs of those States if two or more States agree that there shall be one Public Service Commission for that group of States.

In relevance, if a resolution to that effect is passed by the House or, where there are two Houses, by each House of the Legislature of each of those States.

Clause 3 – As it is & Explained 

(3) Any such law as aforesaid may contain such incidental and

consequential provisions as may be necessary or desirable for giving effect to

the purposes of the law.

The third clause of Article 315 of the Indian Constitution says that any law enacted in the aforementioned manner may include such ancillary and consequential provisions as are required or advisable for carrying out the law’s declared purposes.

Clause 4 – As it is & Explained 

(4) The Public Service Commission for the Union, if requested so to do

by the Governor of a State, may, with the approval of the President, agree

to serve all or any of the needs of the State

The fourth clause of Article 315 of the Indian Constitution says that after being asked to do so by a state’s governor, the Union’s Public Service Commission, with the blessing of the President, may agree to meet all or part of the state’s requirements.

Clause 5 – As it is & Explained 

(5) References in this Constitution to the Union Public Service

Commission or a State Public Service Commission shall, unless the context

otherwise requires, be construed as references to the Commission serving the

needs of the Union or, as the case may be, the State as respects the particular

matter in question

The fifth clause of Article 315 of the Indian Constitution says that unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, any reference in this Constitution to the Union Public Service Commission or a State Public Service Commission shall be deemed to refer to the Commission that serves the needs of the Union or, as the case may be, the State with respect to the subject matter at hand.

You Might Also Like To Read – Article 317 Of The Indian Constitution

Summing Up

We can conclude from Article 315 of the Indian Constitution that it establishes the Public Service Commissions for the Union (central government) and for each state in India.

These commissions are responsible for ensuring fair and transparent appointments to the civil service, based on merit and without bias or discrimination. The article also allows for the possibility of multiple states agreeing to have a single Public Service Commission for their group of states, or for one state’s commission to serve the needs of multiple states.

The Union Public Service Commission may also, with the approval of the President, agree to serve the needs of a state upon request.

The reference to the Union or State Public Service Commission in the Constitution refers to the commission serving the needs of the Union or the relevant state, depending on the matter in question.

FAQs on Article 315 Of The Indian Constitution 

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Public Services Commissions: