UPSC Marks Centenary Celebrations with Manthan Held at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) marked its centenary celebrations named Manthan on 30 September and 1 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Established in 1926, the Commission reached a significant milestone of 100 years of existence, celebrated through a year-long programme that began on 1 October 2025.

Significance of the UPSC Centenary Event

This centenary event is important for Indian competitive exam aspirants and public administration watchers alike, as it reflects on UPSC's role in shaping India’s civil services for a century. The celebrations brought together prominent government officials, academicians, and UPSC representatives to discuss future-ready reforms.

Highlights of the Centenary Celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Participation

On 1 October 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, releasing special commemorative items:

• A UPSC Centenary Commemorative Coin
• A Commemorative Stamp
• A book titled 100 Landmark Judgements – Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India

Manthan Deliberations on Civil Services Reform

The centenary discussions under the banner Manthan focused on key themes:

• Role of Civil Services in Viksit Bharat (Developed India)
• Innovation in Public Administration
• Institutional values guiding UPSC’s future

UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar outlined three guiding principles for the Commission’s future: Trust, Transparency, and Technology. Technology adoption has been part of UPSC since 1978 with computerisation, and recent innovations include the Universal Registration Number introduced in 2025 and expansion of candidate services like the Helpdesk.

Notable Participants

Deliberations included figures such as:

• UPSC member Suman Sharma (led the session on Viksit Bharat)
• Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani
• Member of Parliament Harsh Vardhan Shringla
• Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Sanjay Shrinet

Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

The centenary marks UPSC’s longstanding role in India’s governance and public service recruitment. Understanding UPSC’s vision and reforms aids aspirants in aligning with evolving expectations of civil servants. The commemorative book on landmark judgments can provide insights into UPSC’s policy environment and institutional evolution, relevant for answer writing and interview preparation.