UPSC Exam for Deputy Architect Group 'A' Post Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service Group 'A' (Direct Recruit) Association Central Architect Service Association CPWD Engineers Association The Central Public Works Department (CPWD, Hindi: केंद्रीय लोक निर्माण विभाग) is a department under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of India and is in charge of public sector works.

[citation needed] Centralised public works in India can be traced to the efforts of Lord Dalhousie and Sir Arthur Cotton in the mid 19th century.

Bear any loss, let the people die of famine, let hundreds of lakhs be lost in revenue for want of water or roads, rather than do anything.

– Arthur Cotton (1854)[2] Lord Dalhousie established the Central Public Works Department, and irrigation projects were among the earliest to be started.

In the minutes of meeting held on 12 July 1854 the Governor General resolved that a central agency be provided by creating an office of Secretary to the Government of India in Department of Public Works.

The note recorded by Lord Dalhousie was as under: “The organization of the Department of Public Works in the Indian Empire will be incomplete unless it shall be provided for the Supreme Government itself come agency by which it may be enabled to exercise the universal control confided to it over public works in India with the best of scientific knowledge with authority and system.

The Government of India shall no longer be dependent on expedients, but should be provided with a permanent and highly qualified agency to assist in the direction of this important branch of public affairs.

I have, therefore, now to propose that such an agency should be provided by creating an office of the Secretary to Government of India in the Department of Public Works.

In 1954, the CPWD played an important role in the International Exhibition on Low-Cost Housing held in New Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs consults CPWD with regard to construction and maintenance of the Embassy buildings abroad.

During probation period, the selected candidates undergo rigorous training of 52 weeks at National CPWD Academy situated in Ghaziabad (U.P).

After selection through UPSC recruitment exam for Group A post in CAS cadre, the officers serve as Deputy Architect in CPWD.

After the completion of 4 years, the officers are promoted to the grade of Executive Engineer/Architect which is equivalent to the Under Secretary to Government of India.