Part XIV: Services under the Union and States

Article 318: Regulations for Conditions of Service of Members and Staff

Original Article:

In the case of the Union Commission or a Joint Commission, the President and, in the case of a State Commission, the Governor of the State may by regulations—

• (a) Determine the number of members of the Commission and their conditions of service; and
• (b) Make provision with respect to the number of members of the staff of the Commission and their conditions of service:

Provided that the conditions of service of a member of a Public Service Commission shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Amendments:

The term "Rajpramukh" was removed by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, effective from 1-11-1956, aligning the terminology with administrative changes in India.

Explanations:

Article 318 empowers the President and Governors to set the number and conditions of service for members and staff of Public Service Commissions. This ensures administrative flexibility and adherence to fairness and uniformity in service regulations.

Clause-by-Clause Explanation:

Clause (a): Authority to Determine Service Conditions

Allows the President or Governors to define the number and service conditions of commission members, ensuring operational efficiency.

Clause (b): Regulation of Staff Service Conditions

Enables the regulation of staff numbers and service conditions to support the effective functioning of Public Service Commissions.

Proviso: Protection Against Adverse Changes

Ensures that once appointed, a member’s service conditions cannot be altered to their disadvantage, safeguarding independence.

Historical Significance:

This article underscores the importance of structured regulations for the functioning of Public Service Commissions, reflecting India’s commitment to meritocracy and administrative integrity.