Appointment and term of office of members
Article 316 — Appointment and term of office of members
and other members of a Public Service Commission shall be appointed, in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, by the President, and in the case of a State Commission, by the Governor of the State:
Provided that as nearly as may be one-half of the members of every Public Service Commission shall be persons who at the dates of their respective appointments have held office for at least ten years either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State, and in computing the said period of ten years any period before the commencement of this Constitution during which a person has held office under the Crown in India or under the Government of an Indian State shall be included. (1A) If the office of the Chairman of the Commission becomes vacant or if any such Chairman is by reason of absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office, those duties shall, until some person appointed under clause (1) to the vacant office has entered on the duties thereof or, as the case may be, until the Chairman has resumed his duties, be performed by such one of the other members of the Commission as the President, in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, and the Governor of the State in the case of a State Commission, may appoint for the purpose.] (2) A member of a Public Service Commission shall hold office for a term of six years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains, in the case of the Union Commission, the age of sixty-five years, and in the case of a State Commission or a Joint Commission, the age of 2[sixty-two years], whichever is earlier: Provided that—
- (a) a member of a Public Service Commission may, by writing under his hand addressed, in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, to the President, and in the case of a State Commission, to the Governor 3*** of the State, resign his office;
- (b) a member of a Public Service Commission may be removed from his office in the manner provided in clause (1) or clause (3) of article 317. (3) A person who holds office as a member of a Public Service Commission shall, on the expiration of his term of office, be ineligible for re-appointment to that office.
Plain English Summary
This article explains how members of Public Service Commissions (which are bodies set up to select people for government jobs) are appointed and how long they serve. It also sets rules about who can hold office, their term limits, and the process for filling vacancies.
Key Points
- Appointment: The President appoints members for the Union Commission or Joint Commission, and the Governor appoints members for State Commissions.
- Minimum Experience: Nearly half of the members must have held government office for at least ten years before their appointment.
- Term Limit: A member serves for six years, or until they reach a specific age limit (65 for the Union Commission, 62 for State/Joint Commissions), whichever comes first.
- No Re-appointment: Once a member's term ends, they cannot be re-appointed to that same office.
Why It Matters
This article ensures that the members of these important selection bodies have relevant experience and establishes clear timelines for their service, ensuring stability in the recruitment process for public service.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.