UPSC at 100: From ICS to CSE — 100 Years of Civil Services Evolution

1855: The ICS Begins — The Indian Civil Service examination introduced open competition, replacing the East India Company’s nomination system.

1863: First Indian Clears ICS — Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to clear the ICS examination and joined the service in 1864.

1922: Exam Comes to India — The ICS examination was conducted in India for the first time, initially at Allahabad and later in Delhi.

1926: Public Service Commission — The first Public Service Commission was established on October 1, laying the foundation for today’s UPSC.

1947–1950: A New Era — After Independence, the ICS gave way to the IAS, while the Federal Public Service Commission became UPSC in 1950.

1979: Three-Stage Exam — Following the D.S. Kothari Committee’s recommendations, the Preliminary, Main and Interview structure was introduced.

Technology Transforms UPSC — Computers arrived in 1978, OMR technology in 1989 and online applications began transforming recruitment in the 2000s.

Women’s Participation Rises — Women accounted for just 3 of 83 recommended candidates in 1952, compared with 299 of 958 recommended candidates in CSE 2025.

100 Years of Change — From London-based ICS examinations to technology-driven CSE recruitment, UPSC’s journey reflects a century of evolution in India’s civil services.

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