Historical Perspective
The Assam Public Service Commission came into existence on Ist April, 1937 in accordance with the provision of the Govt. of India Act, 1935 with Mr James Hezelett, a retired ICS officer from London, as its first Chairman. Till framing a new regulation in 1951, five more officers mostly retired ICS officer, held the office of the Chairman for different period after Mr James Hezelett. On India becoming Republic, the regulations of the Commission were framed by the Governor of Assam in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 318 of the Constitution of India and the same came into force w.e.f. Ist September 1951. Also in the same year the Assam Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulation was promulgated in exercise of the powers conferred by the provision of clause II of Article 320 of the Constitution.
Shri Kameswar Das, an educationist of repute of Assam, was the first non-official Chairman of the Commission after promulgation of the APSC Regulations 1951. He held the office till July 1952.
Constitutional Provision
The Public Service Commission is a body created by the Constitution of India. The provisions relating to Public Service Commission have been laid down in Chapter-II of Part-XIV of the Constitution. The provisions in the Constitution ensure the competence of the Commission to deal with matter relating to the State Service and enable them to discharge their duties in a fair and impartial manner free from influence from any quarter.
The Chairman and Members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor of the State. The Chairman or any other Member of the Commission can hold office for a period of six years or till he/she attains the age of 62 years whichever is earlier.