Home The Constitution Part XIV Article 316

Art. 316 Part XIV: Services Under the Union and the States

Appointment and Term of Office of Members

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The Chairman and other members of a Public Service Commission shall be appointed... by the President in the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, and by the Governor of the State in the case of a State Commission. (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 sixty-two years, whichever is earlier...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article fixes a defined 6-year term (or a maximum age — 65 for UPSC, 62 for state/joint Commissions, whichever comes first) for Public Service Commission members, giving them meaningful tenure security to help preserve the Commission's independence from the government of the day.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This tenure protection is part of what keeps recruitment into civil services relatively insulated from direct political interference — Commission members aren't easily replaceable at a government's convenience mid-term.

Read alongside this one

Art. 317 — Removal and Suspension of a Member

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 316

Can a UPSC member be removed before their term ends simply because a new government comes to power?

No — removal requires following the specific, more demanding process set out in Article 317, not a simple administrative decision by the government of the day.

← PreviousArticle 315: Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the States Next →Article 317: Removal and Suspension of a Member of a Public Service Commission

The text above reproduces Article 316 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.