RAJASTHAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISION (RPSC)

• Consitutional body
• Headquarter: Ajmer 

• After the end of the term, teh chairperson and member of the commission cannot hold office of the profit.

NOTE- This provision has been violated three times by Rajasthan Government when one Chairman relieved from commission was appointed in State Secondary Education Board, second in Jaipur Development Authority and third in Rajasthan University.

# Salary / Allowances - 

From State Consolidated Fund. (Art.-322)

• Chairman - 2.25 Lakh only

• Member - 2.15 Lakh only

# Resignation - To the Governor.

# Removal Art.-317 (1)

• By President after inquiry by Supreme Court on grounds of Misbehavior (Procedure implied in Article 145 of Constitution).

(i) Direct Removal by President (Art. 317(3))

• (i) Insolvency

• (ii) Mental infirmity (Unsound mind)

• (iii) In case of Office of Profit

# Suspension - Art.-317 (2)

• By Governor during inquiry by Supreme Court.

• Recently Commission member Babulal Katara was suspended by the Governor.

# Annual Report [Art.-323 (2)]

• To the Governor.

• (From 1 April to 31 March).

# Additional Functions of RPSC - Article 321 - By State Legislature.

# Functions of RPSC - [Art.-320] 

(1) To conduct various recruitment exams and interviews for State Government. [Art. 320 (1)] 

(2) To provide advice to State Government on various matters. [Article 320 (3)]

(i) In formulation of various policies for employees like - Training policy, Transfer policy and Promotion policy. 

(ii) In pension related matters. 

(iii) Compensation matters of employees. 

(iv) Matters related to relaxation in experience in promotion. 

(v) Merger of one service into another service.

(Advice is not binding on State Government.)

(3) To conduct meetings of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion. [Article 320(3)] 

(4) To submit Annual Report to Governor. [Art.-323 (2)] 

(5) Other work assigned by State Legislature. [Art.-321] 

(6) To dispose applications and appeals received under Right to Information Act. 

(7) To operate administration of Commission's Secretariat.

NOTE - On request by State Governor, UPSC can fulfill any/all needs of the state after direction of President (Art. 315 (4)).

- Matters on which State Government does not take advice from RPSC:

(1) Creation of new public service. 

(2) Classification of posts. 

(3) Transfer related matters.

(4) Probation period of State Government employees. 

(5) Salary after first appointment and promotion. 

(6) Allocation of services. 

(7) Training period. 

(8) General method of recruitment.

NOTE- Legislature has the right to amend the acts and jurisdiction of the Commission and they can debate on the report of the Commission. Every act of the Commission can also be challenged in court.

NOTE- RAS exam was conducted by RPSC for the first time in 1986.

-> Measures made for Autonomy / Independence of Commission 

(1) Constitutional status to Commission. (Art. 315-323). 

(2) Transparent appointment process - Recommendation of Council of Ministers by Governor. 

(3) Stability of tenure for Chairman and Members - 6/62 years whichever is earlier. 

(4) Ban on reappointment in Commission. 

(5) Ban on negative or disadvantageous changes after appointment. 

(6) Salary / Allowances in Commission from State Consolidated Fund. 

(7) Complex process of removal - By President. 

(8) Rules regarding service conditions of Commission are made by Governor.

NOTE :-

• Secretary of the Commission executes financial and administrative functions.

• Appointment of non-gazetted employees of Commission Secretariat is done by Secretary with permission of Chairman.

• Right of any kind of disciplinary action against Secretary lies with Chairman only. Secretary can appeal against such action to the Governor.

Organizational Structure of Commission-

1. Administrative Division

2. Recruitment Division

3. Exam Division

4. Accounts Division

5. Law Division

6. Research Division

• Rules for functioning:- 1963, 1975, 1976.

• Regulations for work - Rajasthan Public Service Commission Service Condition Rules-1951.

• Rajasthan Public Service Commission Work Limit Rules - 1951.

• Amendments were made in these rules in 1961 and 1983.

• Inauguration of Commission's new building (Ghooghara Ghati, Ajmer) and monogram was done by Governor Justice Shri Anshuman Singh on 21-10-2000.

• Commission's functions and jurisdiction are related to Article 16, 235, 315 to 323.

# Following posts do not come under jurisdiction of Commission:

• Governor's executive and personnel of Raj Bhawan.

• Advocate General and Public Prosecutor.

• Members of Raj. Civil Service Appeal Tribunal.

• Posts other than those prescribed under Raj. Armed Police and Police Service.

• Pilot, Inspector In-charge etc.

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and Gliding Instructor In-charge.

# Shortcomings of RPSC

• Vacant posts of Chairman and Members.

• Delay in recruitments.

• Allegations of corruption.

• Disputed scaling process. (Normalization).

• Does not issue Annual Calendar like UPSC.

• Interference of State Government.

• No discussion on Annual Report.

• Financial shortage.

• Judicial Interference.

• Advice of State Public Service Commission not binding for State Government.

• Short period of retirement of Chairman and Members of Commission.

• Neglect by State Government of reformative recommendations made by Commission.

  • Ex.- Determination of salary, training conditions.

# Suggestions- 

(1) Appointment of RPSC Chairman and Members should be done on recommendation of a committee. 

(2) There should be minimum educational qualification for all members in RPSC. 

(3) RPSC should perform functions like UPSC. 

(4) There should be discussion on Annual Report of RPSC. 

(5) Posts should be increased in RPSC. 

(6) Fast Track Court should be adopted to dispose petitions quickly.

# Innovations or Reforms in Commission - 

(1) One Time Registration (OTR) - 20 January, 2022. 

(2) On Screen Marking System (OSM). 

(3) My Exam My ?? System (Memory). 

(4) Pre Litigation Committee constituted - Its chairman is RPSC member. 

(5) Online tracing of exam centers. * To reduce litigation. 

(6) M.L. Kumawat Committee constituted - Former Chairman (2011). Suggestions - Annual Recruitment Calendar, Fast track court. 

(7) Fifth option in OMR. 

(8) Changing syllabus from time to time. 

(9) Provision of additional post in RPSC - Exam Controller. 

(10) Vijay Vyas Committee - To conduct competitive exams smoothly. 

(11) Publication of Spandan magazine. 

(12) Grievance Redressal Portal - Effective from 21 Nov 2021. (13) Commission's official portal and exam system has been made accessible for Divyangjans.

NOTE:- In year 2018, Commission was awarded 'Smart City Ajmer Award-2014' for excellent use of E-Governance in Rajasthan and 'Technology Sabha Award 2018' in context of use of E-Governance in On Screen Marking under document category.

• Commission was awarded ISO-9001:2008 certificate in 2011 for quality management.

Joint Public Service Commission (JPSC)

• Provision - Art. 315 (2).

• Formation - By Act of Parliament, hence after formation it is a Statutory / Legal Commission.

• Appointment / Resignation / Removal -> By President.

• Suspension -> By President.

• Determination of Salary - By Parliament.

• Annual Report - To respective Governor [323(2)].

• Example - Joint Public Service Commission for Punjab and Haryana in 1966.