UPSC to Establish Centre of Excellence as Centenary Celebrations Begin in October 2025

New Delhi- As the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) approaches its 100th year on October 1, 2025, the Commission has announced the creation of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to serve as a repository of best practices drawn from both UPSC and various State Public Service Commissions (PSCs).

The announcement was made by UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar during a virtual meeting with Chairpersons and Members of State PSCs, attended also by UPSC Members Dr. Dinesh Dasa and  Anuradha Prasad. The initiative aims to document SOPs, innovations, and experiences that can strengthen recruitment systems across the country.

Dr. Kumar underscored that the CoE will act as a knowledge hub, with active participation from State PSCs. He also emphasized that the centenary year is not just a time to celebrate the Commission’s legacy but also an opportunity to reflect, renew, and reimagine the future of public service recruitment.

Key Highlights:

• ‘Pratibha Setu’ portal showcased as a model initiative for enabling wider opportunities to candidates who reached the interview stage but did not feature in the final UPSC list.

• Suggestions from State PSCs stressed on expanding awareness about public service exams in aspirational districts where participation remains low due to lack of access to information and resources.

• Outreach and mentoring programmes were highlighted as crucial to encourage participation from rural and underrepresented regions.

Dr. Dinesh Dasa, Member UPSC, urged State PSCs to actively contribute to the centenary celebrations by showcasing their best practices through exhibitions and awareness drives. He noted that for the first time, members and Chairpersons of all State PSCs will participate in UPSC’s centenary events—marking a moment of collective celebration and cooperation.

The meeting witnessed participation from 27 State PSCs, all of whom extended their full support for the centenary year activities. Senior UPSC officials, including Secretary Shashi Ranjan Kumar and Joint Secretaries  Santosh Ajmera and  Hansha Mishra, were also present.