UPSC at 100: Critics say exam remains stuck in outdated model despite reform calls

The Union Public Service Commission, India's premier civil service recruitment body, has faced scrutiny over its resistance to reform despite multiple official reviews. Over nine committees have assessed UPSC's performance and proposed substantial changes to modernise the examination process.

However, observers note that the commission's core structure and methodology remain largely unchanged. The civil service entrance exam continues to operate within frameworks that critics argue do not reflect contemporary governance challenges or evolving skill requirements for modern administration.

The persistence of traditional examination models at UPSC comes as India grapples with rapid technological and social change, raising questions about whether the recruitment mechanism adequately prepares civil servants for 21st-century governance demands.