Deepak Gupta is new UPSC Chairman

Government has appointed former IAS officer Deepak Gupta as a new chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He took over as the chairman of UPSC on 22^nd November 2014 after the tenure of then UPSC chairman Rajni Razdan came to an end.
He is the first chairman of UPSC, appointed by breaking away from the tradition of appointing the top post from the serving members of the Commission.
As per convention, the UPSC chairman is appointed from among the members of the Commission. This time it was the turn of former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Alka Sirohi, to be appointed UPSC Chairman who is working as member in the Commission but instead non-member of commission Deepak Gupta was appointed.

About Deepak Gupta

• Deepak Gupta is a retired IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre of 1974 batch. He is younger brother of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

UPSC is constitutional body which conducts the prestigious civil services examination to select IAS, IFS and IPS officers among others. It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution and consists of a Chairman and ten Members; appointed and removed by President. The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term if six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

At present there are 10 members in UPSC

Alka Sirohi former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, academician David R Syiemlieh, retired IFS officer Manbir Singh, former CBI Director Amar Pratap Singh, former Navy Vice Chief D K Dewan, former Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal, educationists P Kelimsungla and Hem Chandra Gupta, and former IAS officer Chhatar Singh are members of the Commission.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2014