[2] The agency's charter is granted by Part XIV of the Constitution of India, titled Services Under the Union and the States.

Being a constitutional authority, UPSC is amongst the few institutions that function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s higher judiciary and lately the Election Commission.

[6][7] The Royal Commission on the Superior Civil Services in India was set up under the chairmanship of Lord Lee of Fareham by the British Government in 1923.

[8][7] This led to the establishment of the first Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926 under the chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker.

[6] A mere limited advisory function was granted to the Public Service Commission and the leaders of the freedom movement continually stressed on this aspect, which then resulted in the setting up of a Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935.

[9][7] In 1947, the then deputy prime minister Vallabhbhai Patel called the recruits as the "steel frame of India".

UPSC is amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s higher judiciary and lately the Election Commission.

In case the office of the chairman becomes vacant, the duties shall be performed by one of the other members of the Commission at the appointment of the President.

321, an Act made by Parliament may provide for the exercise of additional functions by the Union Public Service Commission w.r.t.

317, the chairman or any other member of a Public Service Commission shall only be removed from their office by order of the president on the ground of "misbehavior" after the Supreme Court, on a reference being made to it by the president, has, on inquiry reported that the chairman or such other member ought to be removed.

On receipt of such report, the president shall present a copy before each House of Parliament; together with a memorandum, if any, explaining the reasons why the advice of the Commission was not accepted by him.