Inside UPSC @ 100: Key Takeaways from the UPSC Chairman’s Historic Town Hall with Aspirants

12 Nov 2025

Table of Contents

As UPSC enters its 100th year, the Commission is marking this centenary moment not with speeches alone, but with a first-of-its-kind Town Hall interaction—a direct conversation between UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar and lakhs of aspirants across India. This special session, at DD News broadcasted nationwide, offered clarity on long-standing doubts.

With this backdrop, the UPSC Chairman opened the interaction by sharing the purpose of the Town Hall and his message to aspirants—setting the tone for a candid and historic conversation.

UPSC Chairman on Purpose of the Town Hall & Aspirants as Nation-Builders, Constitutional Role, Trust & Confidentiality

As UPSC now enters its 100th year, it is a matter of very special honour for me as the Chairman to be connected through this Town Hall with such a large number of people.
The main purpose of organizing this session, the first of its kind by UPSC, is to create direct dialogue with aspirants—those we often don’t get to meet directly—and to share some of our insights with them.
We must understand that these candidates are not just candidates; they are the future of the nation. Their hard work and dreams will shape a new India. In this sense, UPSC is not just an examination—it is a journey to build the future of India.
Today’s generation is very different from mine—it is Gen Z, digital, diverse, and dynamic. This is not a generation that only scrolls the internet; it is a generation that is creating a new story of India. Through the unity in diversity of our country, this generation will write India’s future story.
For us, there is no difference—whether the candidate is from a rural or urban background, small town or big city—they all together represent India’s diversity.
When our forefathers created UPSC as a constitutional body, they envisioned it as the constitutional guardian of India’s Civil Services. That is why governance in our country today relies on UPSC as its backbone—it ensures neutrality in civil services and creates a merit-based system. Over the last 75 years, UPSC has given the nation many leaders who have served with distinction.
Very few institutions can say, even after 100 years, that people trust them as much as when they were created. Even today, people look to UPSC as a model of trust, integrity, and fairness.
I want to assure everyone that UPSC has never, and will never, come under any political or external pressure. Our core mantra is Confidentiality, and for us the only key to selection is merit. Privilege, money, or background has no place here—only merit matters. We ensure fairness for every candidate regardless of their region, language, or background.
That is why, over decades, UPSC has become the most inclusive mechanism—today, aspirants apply from nearly every district of India. In fact, 80–90% of candidates come from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
And one more important thing: the Civil Services Examination we conduct is the most sophisticated exam in the world. Despite its massive scale and diversity—around 12 lakhs candidates apply for the exam, and there are 23 languages (22 constitutional + English), 48 optional subjects, over 2,500 centres—we ensure that every candidate gets exactly the paper they opted for. Like the Mumbai dabbawala system where every person gets their own lunchbox, in UPSC every candidate gets their exact paper, fairly delivered.
Finally, let me stress: UPSC has zero tolerance for cheating. We take strict action because we do not want anyone to begin their career in public service through dishonesty. I request all aspirants: never look towards that path—it can damage your long-term career.

Question and Answers

On Cut-off Date in UPSC Examinations (Jan 1 vs Aug 1)

Q : Sir, we have received many emails and questions from aspirants regarding the cut-off date for eligibility. For example, why the cut-off date cannot be shifted from August to January. Could you please clarify what is the system and logic behind it?

A (UPSC Chairman )

Today’s system is very clear: for exams conducted in the first half of the year, the cut-off date is 1st January; and for exams conducted in the second half of the year, the cut-off date is 1st August.
People request this change because it might benefit them. But if the cut-off date is changed, some people will gain, while others will lose—so this cannot be arbitrarily altered.
This system has not started recently—it has been followed uniformly for decades, since the 1960s and 70s. Everyone plans accordingly, knowing the dates.
For example, if the Civil Services Examination cut-off is on 1st August and someone says make it 1st January—then students who get their degrees in June would lose eligibility. They would have to wait almost 9 months more for the next cycle. But under the 1st August system, they save a year and are eligible the same cycle.
So the August cut-off protects more candidates than a January cut-off.
Another related issue people raise is that State PSCs have different cut-off dates compared to UPSC. Here it must be remembered that our federal structure under the Constitution gives State PSCs full independence. UPSC fixed its dates long ago and continues consistently. State PSCs are free to set their own dates.

On CSAT (Prelims Paper-II) & Humanities vs Engineers

Q : Sir, one of the most repeated questions from aspirants is about the CSAT paper in Prelims. Many feel that the emphasis on Maths and Reasoning benefits candidates from engineering backgrounds, while those from Humanities feel disadvantaged. Is this true? Does it create unfairness?