Manoj Soni, Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has resigned from his position nearly five years before the end of his tenure. According to sources speaking to The Hindu, Soni stepped down for personal reasons.
Soni, who joined the UPSC as a member in 2017, was appointed Chairperson on May 16, 2023, with his tenure set to conclude in 2029. A top source revealed that Soni submitted his resignation about a month ago. However, it remains uncertain whether his resignation will be accepted.
The source clarified that Soni’s resignation is unrelated to recent controversies involving UPSC candidates allegedly using fake certificates to secure seats.
Uncertainty Over Soni’s Replacement
Soni’s resignation was submitted to the President of India, but the government has not yet accepted it. Consequently, there is still no clarity on whether Soni will be officially relieved from his duties. The government has yet to announce a successor.
The Hindu reported that Soni is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi had appointed Soni as Vice-Chancellor of Vadodara’s MS University in 2005 when he was only 40, making him the youngest Vice-Chancellor in the country. Before joining the UPSC, Soni served as Vice-Chancellor for three terms across two universities in Gujarat, including two terms at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) until 2015.
UPSC Leadership and Structure
The UPSC, a constitutional body established under Articles 315-323 of the Indian Constitution, is led by a Chairperson and up to ten other members. Under Soni’s leadership, the commission included seven other members: Dinesh Dasa, former Chairman of the Gujarat Public Service Commission; BB Swain, a former Gujarat cadre IAS officer; Sheel Vardhan Singh, a former IPS officer; Sanjay Verma, a former diplomat; and Preeti Sudan, a former Union Health Secretary.
The UPSC plays a crucial role in recruiting personnel for various central government positions, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the Indian civil services. Soni’s resignation comes at a critical time, raising questions about the commission’s future leadership and direction.