Former Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi has been appointed as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Bassi’s appointment to the job, which is a constitutional post with a tenure of five years, came three months after he retired as the capital’s top cop. Bassi was criticised both by AAP and Congress for police action during the JNU row, including the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar.

Did You Know?

• The Union Public Service Commission is India’s central agency authorised to conduct the Civil Services Examination, Indian Forest Service examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination, National Defence Academy Examination, Naval Academy Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination,Special Class Railway Apprentice, Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Examination, and Central Armed Police Forces(Assistant Commandant) Examination.
• The Royal Commission on the Superior Civil Services in India under the Chairmanship of Lord cornwallis, which submitted its Report in 1782, recommended the setting up of the Public Service Commission. This led to the establishment of the first Public Service Commission on 1 October 1926 under the Chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker.
• The Commission consists of a chairman and ten members. The terms and conditions of service of chairman and members of the Commission are governed by the Union Public Service Commission (Members) Regulations, 1969.