Preeti Sudan is a distinguished former Union Health Secretary and a 1983-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre. She has held various key positions in the government, notably serving as the Union Health Secretary for three years until July 2020.
Recently, Preeti Sudan has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), taking over from Manoj Soni, who resigned earlier this month.
She is scheduled to take the oath of office and officially assume her responsibilities as the UPSC Chairperson on August 1, 2024.
Preeti Sudan's term as the UPSC Chairperson is set to continue until April 29, 2025, or until further orders, whichever occurs first. She will retire upon reaching the age of 65 in April next year.
Her appointment is noteworthy as Preeti Sudan is only the second woman to lead the UPSC. The first was R.M. Bathew, who served as the chairperson from 1992 to 1996.
Manoj Soni resigned from his position for personal reasons on July 4, 2024, nearly five years before his tenure was scheduled to end in 2029.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) serves as India's premier central recruiting agency. It is responsible for the appointments and examinations for All India services and Group A & B of Central services. The commission, mandated by the Constitution of India, plays a crucial role in facilitating merit-based and transparent recruitment for the Indian civil services.
The UPSC Chairperson oversees the commission's functions, ensuring that its constitutional duties are efficiently fulfilled. They lead the process of selecting qualified candidates for various government positions through competitive examinations and interviews.
Q1. Who is the first woman UPSC Chairperson?
Answer: The first woman to head the UPSC was R.M. Bathew, who served from 1992 to 1996, paving the way for future female leaders in Indian civil services.
Q2. What are the responsibilities of the UPSC Chairperson?
Answer: The UPSC Chairperson oversees the commission's operations, ensuring efficient recruitment processes and leading the selection of candidates for government positions through examinations.
Q3. When was Preeti Sudan appointed as UPSC Chairperson?
Answer: Preeti Sudan was appointed as the UPSC Chairperson, succeeding Manoj Soni, and is set to take office on August 1, 2024.
Q4. What is the role of the UPSC in civil services?
Answer: The UPSC is responsible for the recruitment and selection of candidates for various civil services in India, ensuring a merit-based and transparent process.
Q5. Why did Manoj Soni resign?
Answer: Manoj Soni resigned from his position as UPSC Chairperson for personal reasons on July 4, 2024, before the completion of his term.
Question 1: Who succeeded Manoj Soni as the UPSC Chairperson?
A) R.M. Bathew
B) Preeti Sudan
C) Kamini Kaushal
D) None of the above
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: When will Preeti Sudan officially take office as UPSC Chairperson?
A) August 1, 2023
B) August 1, 2024
C) September 1, 2024
D) July 1, 2024
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How long will Preeti Sudan serve as UPSC Chairperson?
A) Until April 29, 2024
B) Until April 29, 2025
C) Until July 29, 2025
D) Until March 29, 2025
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Who was the first woman to chair the UPSC?
A) Preeti Sudan
B) Manoj Soni
C) R.M. Bathew
D) None of the above
Correct Answer: C
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