UPSC proposes Centre of Excellence; centenary celebrations to run from October 2025
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar announced on 3 September 2025 a proposed Centre of Excellence as a repository of best practices of UPSC and State PSCs, as part of the Commission's centenary year from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026.
Summary
The Union Public Service Commission proposes to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a repository of best practices of UPSC and the State Public Service Commissions, as part of its centenary year celebrations from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar announced this on 3 September 2025 while chairing a video-conference meeting with Chairpersons and Members of State PSCs. The CoE will serve as a knowledge hub of SOPs, innovations and key takeaways, and also assist other national recruitment bodies. Dr. Kumar recalled that UPSC was established on 1 October 1926, and highlighted the 'Pratibha Setu' portal, through which candidates who reached the interview stage but missed the final list get opportunities with other organisations.
Key facts
- Announced
- 3 Sep 2025 by UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar
- Proposal
- Centre of Excellence – repository of best practices of UPSC and State PSCs
- Centenary year
- 1 Oct 2025 – 1 Oct 2026
- UPSC established
- 1 October 1926
- Pratibha Setu
- Portal linking interview-stage non-selected candidates to other employers
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On which date was the Union Public Service Commission established, according to the UPSC centenary announcement of September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 1 October 1926
UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar recalled that UPSC was established on 1 October 1926.
UPSC's 'Pratibha Setu' portal is meant for:
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Correct answer: B — Candidates who reached the interview stage but did not make the final list
Through Pratibha Setu, candidates who reached the interview stage but could not make the final list get recruitment opportunities in other organisations.
Consider the following statements about UPSC's centenary plans announced in September 2025: 1. The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. 2. The proposed Centre of Excellence will be a repository of best practices of UPSC only, excluding State PSCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. The proposed CoE will be a repository of best practices of both UPSC and the State PSCs, so statement 2 is wrong.