Power to extend functions of Public Service Commissions
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 321 (Power to extend functions of Public Service Commissions): Regulates civil services, tenure security (Art 311), and independent Public Service Commissions (UPSC/PSC) under Part XIV.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 321 ('Power to extend functions of Public Service Commissions') in Part XIV (Services Under the Union and the States) governs public recruitment and civil service accountability. It regulates recruitment rules (Art 309), due-process inquiry protections before dismissal/removal of civil servants (Art 311), All-India Services (Art 312), and the independent functioning, appointment, removal protections, and annual reports of UPSC and State PSCs (Arts 315–323). Specifically: An Act made by Parliament or, as the case may be, the Legislature of a State may provide for the exercise of additional functions by the Union Public Service Commission or the State Public Service Commission as respects the services of the...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 321): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Power to extend functions of Public Service Commissions' under Part XIV
Sets a direct, self-contained constitutional command binding on public authorities across India
Requires transparent Parliamentary law-making and democratic accountability rather than arbitrary executive action
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Under Article 319, UPSC/PSC Chairpersons and Members are barred from holding subsequent government employment to prevent political favouritism in recruitment.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Protects merit-based competitive recruitment for youth and shields honest government officers from political victimization.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: