PM Modi to Address Centenary Celebrations at Bharat Mandapam; Commemorative Coin and Stamp to Be Released
Commemorating a historic century of constitutional civil service selection and institutional governance in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend and address the grand centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Scheduled to commence at 11:00 AM, the landmark event marks the culmination of year-long national commemorations honoring the establishment of the central recruiting body in October 1926. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister will officially release a specially minted UPSC Centenary Commemorative Coin, a dedicated commemorative postage stamp, and an authoritative legal compilation chronicling pivotal jurisprudence surrounding civil services.
A Century of Meritocracy: Marking 100 Years of UPSC Since 1926
The milestone event honors the evolutionary trajectory of the constitutional agency originally set up under the provisions of the Government of India Act:
Foundational Legacy: Established on October 1, 1926, as the Public Service Commission under the chairmanship of Sir Ross Barker, the institution later transitioned into the Federal Public Service Commission and ultimately took shape as the constitutional Union Public Service Commission under Article 315 of the Constitution of India.
Year-Long Celebrations Culminate: The gathering at Bharat Mandapam represents the grand finale of nationwide symposiums, academic lectures, and commemorative exhibits held over the past twelve months to celebrate 100 years of safeguarding merit, transparency, and administrative excellence.
Keynote Address by the Prime Minister: PM Modi's address to the gathering will lay out the vision for administrative reforms, technology-driven recruitment frameworks, and the expanding role of civil servants in driving the goals of Viksit Bharat.
Commemorative Coin, Postal Stamp, and '100 Landmark Judgments' Book Launch
To formally document the historic centennial occasion, the Prime Minister will unveil several institutional keepsakes and legal works:
Centenary Commemorative Coin: A specially minted high-denomination commemorative coin will be released, featuring the historic emblem of the UPSC and commemorating 1926–2026.
Dedicated Postage Stamp: The Department of Posts will present a ceremonial commemorative postage stamp honoring the century-long institutional service rendered by the commission to the republic.
Release of '100 Landmark Judgments': The Prime Minister will also unveil an exclusive judicial compendium titled "100 Landmark Judgments," which catalogs defining verdicts delivered by the Supreme Court of India and High Courts that have shaped service law, administrative fairness, affirmative action, and constitutional recruitment standards over decades.
Gathering of Administrative Stalwarts: State PSC Chiefs and Academics in Attendance
The centenary ceremony brings together the leadership of India’s administrative and examination architecture under one roof:
Inter-State Coordination: The conference will be attended by chairpersons, secretaries, and members representing State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs) from every state and union territory, promoting institutional harmonization and best practices across competitive test administration.
Top Bureaucrats and Academics: Senior functionaries of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Union Cabinet Secretariat, eminent constitutional jurists, educationists, and veteran former civil servants will join serving UPSC officers to celebrate the milestone.
Strengthening Civil Services: Deliberations surrounding the centenary highlight ongoing structural upgrades in testing systems, ethical evaluation methodologies, and digital security measures to ensure public service selection retains its reputation as an uncompromised pillar of Indian democracy.

