New Delhi, October 1: Marking the beginning of its centenary year, UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar today outlined a forward-looking vision for the Commission’s role in nation-building. He said the centenary year is not only a time to celebrate the legacy of the Commission but also a springboard for renewal and outreach. The Chairman emphasised that UPSC will deepen its engagement with aspirants through initiatives like the anecdote portal “My UPSC Interview” and the unveiling of new visual identities in the form of the UPSC and centenary logos. The focus, he added, is on modernisation - extending beyond examination systems to building stronger connections with the youth, ensuring that the values of merit, transparency, and service remain enduring commitments for the future.

Dr. Kumar noted that the centenary year is also a moment to catalyse institutional reforms. He highlighted that UPSC will work more closely with state public service commissions, share best practices, and strengthen feedback mechanisms to make its selection processes more inclusive and responsive. He underlined inclusivity, digital transformation, and engagement with a new generation of aspirants as priority areas, pointing out that a large share of candidates now come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. With increasing use of digital tools and artificial intelligence, he said, the Commission is preparing itself to meet the expectations of Gen Z and future aspirants, while continuing to uphold its core values of fairness, transparency, and integrity.

As part of the centenary year activities, the Commission launched a dedicated anecdote portal titled “My UPSC Interview: From Dream to Reality. (https://innovateindia.mygov.in/upsc/)” The initiative invites civil servants, both serving and retired, to share their experiences of appearing before the UPSC Interview Board. The submissions, to be made by December 31, 2025, will capture the defining moments of candidates’ journeys into public service. A compilation of selected entries will be published during the centenary year in 2026.

The celebrations also saw the unveiling of the new UPSC logo, which reflects the Commission’s role as a guardian of trust and continuity. At its core lies the national emblem, representing authority and service to the nation, surrounded by a wreath of banyan leaves symbolising wisdom and resilience. Anchored by a ribbon inscribed with Sangh Lok Seva, the logo reinforces the ethos of accountability and duty.

Complementing this is the Centenary Logo, designed to represent continuity and transformation. Its wave motif signifies the Commission’s journey over a century—progressive, enduring, and adaptive—culminating in the final ‘0’ of ‘100,’ where the UPSC logo rests, underscoring its centrality to every milestone in India’s administrative evolution.

Earlier in the event, welcoming the dignitaries, officers, staff, and guests on the 99th Foundation Day, UPSC Secretary, Shri Shashi Ranjan Kumar, said the Commission’s journey of nearly a century has been defined by its adherence to constitutional values and its responsibility to select individuals of competence and integrity for public service. He noted that as UPSC enters its 100th year, the occasion provides an opportunity not just to commemorate a distinguished past but also to commit collectively towards future readiness. The Secretary underlined that the year-long centenary celebrations are designed to honour the legacy of the institution while showcasing its resolve to adapt to evolving national and global challenges in governance.

Established on October 1, 1926, under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919, and the recommendations of the Lee Commission, the UPSC has served as the backbone of India’s merit-based civil services for nearly a century. With the centenary celebrations now underway, the Commission has sought to reaffirm its legacy while embracing new challenges and opportunities for the future.

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