Preeti Sudan Appointed as Chairperson of UPSC
Former Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- Preeti Sudan appointed as Chairperson of the UPSC.
- She is a retired IAS officer from the 1983 batch.
- The appointment was made by the President of India.
- Sudan previously served as Union Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The UPSC is established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India.
- UPSC Chairperson and members serve for six years or until age 65.
- The UPSC conducts examinations for All India Services and Central Services.
- Her appointment emphasizes meritocracy and integrity in public service recruitment.
- Sudan's leadership is expected to uphold UPSC's standards of excellence.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 15–25 | Polity is a core UPSC subject. Both Prelims and Mains test constitutional provisions in depth. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–6 | Questions on constitutional amendments, Parliament, and schemes appear in every SSC paper. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | State PCS papers test both central and state government structures. |
Key Facts to Remember: Preeti Sudan Appointed as Chairperson of UPSC
- Preeti Sudan appointed as Chairperson of the UPSC.
- She is a retired IAS officer from the 1983 batch.
- The appointment was made by the President of India.
- Sudan previously served as Union Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The UPSC is established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India.
- UPSC Chairperson and members serve for six years or until age 65.
- The UPSC conducts examinations for All India Services and Central Services.
- Her appointment emphasizes meritocracy and integrity in public service recruitment.
- Sudan's leadership is expected to uphold UPSC's standards of excellence.
Practice Questions
Q1. Who appoints the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
- The Prime Minister of India
- The Chief Justice of India
- The President of India
- The Lok Sabha Speaker
Explanation: The President of India is constitutionally empowered to appoint the Chairperson and other members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This appointment is made based on the advice of the government.
Q2. Under which Article of the Constitution of India is the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) established?
- Article 14
- Article 315
- Article 280
- Article 356
Explanation: Article 315 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs). It is a key provision for the recruitment of civil servants.
Q3. What is the maximum tenure for a UPSC Chairperson or member, in terms of age?
- 60 years
- 62 years
- 65 years
- 70 years
Explanation: The Chairperson and other members of the UPSC hold office for a term of six years from the date on which they enter their office or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. This ensures a balance of experience and continuity.
Q4. Which significant role did Preeti Sudan hold prior to her appointment as UPSC Chairperson, especially during a major national crisis?
- Finance Secretary
- Home Secretary
- Defence Secretary
- Union Health Secretary during COVID-19 pandemic
Explanation: Before becoming the UPSC Chairperson, Preeti Sudan served as the Union Health Secretary. She played a crucial role in managing India's response during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q5. The UPSC is primarily responsible for:
- Conducting elections across India
- Advising the President on financial matters
- Conducting examinations for appointments to Union services
- Overseeing the functioning of the Reserve Bank of India
Explanation: The primary constitutional mandate of the UPSC is to conduct examinations for recruitment to various All India Services and Central Services (Group A and B) of the Union Government, ensuring merit-based selection.
How to Prepare Indian Polity & Governance for Government Exams — Preeti Sudan Appointed as Chairperson of UPSC
Map every news item to an Article or provision in the Constitution. This is what UPSC Prelims directly tests.
For SSC and Railway, focus on the practical side — who appoints whom, term lengths, and what each body does.
Note the date and context of any constitutional amendment or ordinance. Questions are often framed around the 'first time' or 'most recent' event.
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