What is Article 319 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 319: Prohibition as to the holding of offices by members of Commission on ceasing to be such members On ceasing to hold office— (a) the Chairman of
📅 Part XIV – Services Under the Union and the States
🏷️Active

📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

319

part

Part XIV – Services Under the Union and the States

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 319: Prohibition as to the holding of offices by members of Commission on ceasing to be such members

  • On ceasing to hold office—
    • (a) the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission shall be ineligible for further
      employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State;
    • (b) the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any other member of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of any other State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State;
    • (c) a member other than the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State;
    • (d) a member other than the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission shall be eligible for appointment as the Chairman or any other member of the Union Public Service Commission or as the Chairman of that or any other State Public Service Commission, but not for any other employment either under the Government of India or under the Government of a State.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 319 of the Indian Constitution outlines restrictions for members of the Union and State Public Service Commissions after they leave their positions. This article ensures that certain officials cannot seek other government jobs once they step down. Specifically, it states that the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cannot take up any new employment with the central or state governments. This rule maintains integrity and reduces conflicts of interest, promoting the impartiality of these commissions. For State Public Service Commission Chairmen, the rules are a bit different. They can be appointed as Chairmen of the UPSC or any other State Commission but cannot take up other government jobs. Similarly, members of the UPSC can be appointed as Chairmen or members of State Commissions, while members of State Commissions have the same opportunities within the UPSC and other State Commissions. This framework allows for a degree of flexibility while still upholding the principle that these officials should not move directly into other government roles. The practical effect of Article 319 is to create a barrier against potential favoritism or bias in the recruitment processes for public service roles. It protects the independence of these commissions, ensuring that their members are not tempted to use their previous positions for personal gain. By limiting post-service employment options, the article fosters accountability and trust in the public service recruitment process, which is key for good governance in India.

Historical Context

This article ensures that certain officials cannot seek other government jobs once they step down. Specifically, it states that the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cannot take up any new employment with the central or state governments. This rule maintains integrity and reduces conflicts of interest, promoting the impartiality of these commissions. For State Public Service Commission Chairmen, the rules are a bit different. Article 319 of the Indian Constitution outlines restrictions for members of the Union and State Public Service Commissions after they leave their positions. They can be appointed as Chairmen of the UPSC or any other State Commission but cannot take up other government jobs.

Key Features

– The UPSC Chairman cannot hold any government job after stepping down.
– State Commission Chairmen can serve in similar roles but not elsewise.
– Members of the UPSC can be appointed as Chairmen of State Commissions.
– State Commission members can be appointed to the UPSC positions.
– Article 319 promotes accountability and reduces conflicts of interest.

Importance & Impact

– Article 319 prevents former commission members from government employment
– It ensures the integrity of public service recruitment processes
– The article supports transparency in government appointments
– It promotes trust in the impartiality of public service commissions.
– The rules help maintain the independence of these commissions

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements regarding Article 319 of the Indian Constitution: 1. The Chairman of UPSC can hold other government jobs after resignation. 2. State Commission members can be appointed to UPSC roles. Which of the statements is/are correct? A) Only 1 B) Only 2 C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is B) Only 2. Article 319 prohibits the Chairman of the UPSC from taking any other government job after resignation. However, it allows State Commission members to be appointed to UPSC roles, which makes statement 2 correct.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 319 restricts government jobs for former commission members.
✓ It promotes integrity in public service recruitment processes.
✓ Former UPSC Chairmen cannot seek other government roles.
✓ State Commission members can be appointed to UPSC positions.
✓ The article enhances accountability in public service

FAQs

Article 319 of the Indian Constitution outlines restrictions for members of the Union and State Public Service Commissions after they leave their positions. This article ensures that certain officials cannot seek other government jobs once they step down. Specifically, it states that the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cannot take up any new employment with the central or state governments.

They can be appointed as Chairmen of the UPSC or any other State Commission but cannot take up other government jobs. Similarly, members of the UPSC can be appointed as Chairmen or members of State Commissions, while members of State Commissions have the same opportunities within the UPSC and other State Commissions. This framework allows for a degree of flexibility while still upholding the principle that these officials should not move directly into other government roles.

The practical effect of Article 319 is to create a barrier against potential favoritism or bias in the recruitment processes for public service roles. It protects the independence of these commissions, ensuring that their members are not tempted to use their previous positions for personal gain. By limiting post-service employment options, the article fosters accountability and trust in the public service recruitment process, which is key for good governance in India.

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Founder and Editor-in-Chief at StudyHub. Pramod has spent over 7 years tracking Indian government recruitments and analyzing exam trends. He oversees the StudyHub editorial board, managing a dedicated team of subject-matter experts across History, Polity, Geography, Geology, and General Sciences. His mission is to ensure that every job alert and study resource published on StudyHub is 100% verified, accurate, and helpful for competitive exam aspirants.
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