Provisions as to Public Service Commissions
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 378 (Provisions as to Public Service Commissions): Special, transitional, and regional development provisions under Part XXI.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 378 ('Provisions as to Public Service Commissions') is part of Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions). It encompasses regional safeguards under the Article 371 series (Maharashtra/Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka) as well as constitutional continuity of pre-1950 laws, courts, and institutions (Arts 372–392). Specifically: (1) The members of the Public Service Commission for the Dominion of India holding office immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall, unless they have elected otherwise, become on such commencement the members of the...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 378): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Provisions as to Public Service Commissions' under Part XXI
Structured across 8 clause(s) with clear procedural conditions
Any administrative or legislative action violating Article 378 can be challenged before the High Court (Art. 226) or Supreme Court
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Under Article 372(1), all pre-Constitution laws continue in force only 'subject to the other provisions of this Constitution'—meaning any colonial-era law violating Fundamental Rights can be struck down under Article 13 (as in Navtej Singh Johar, 2018).
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Accommodates India's regional diversity and ensures seamless legal continuity from 1950 to the modern Republic.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: