Historical Perspective  

The Maharaja : During the British regime, the Maharja used to appoint the functionaries of the state. The Rules of Management of the State of Manipur, enforced on September 14 1935, empowered the Maharaja to appoint the members of the Durbar, while a British Officer acted as the President of the Durbar. After independence, for a brief period, the Manipur State Constituent Act 1947 provided for the formation of a Manipur State Appointment Board to be the “final authority” in all matters of appointments and  promotions. 

The Chief Commissioner: Following merger into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, Manipur became a centrally administered area, and remained so till October 31, 1956. During this period, the Chief Commissioner appointed the functionaries of Manipur, subject to the control of the Central Government. 

Territorial Council: Manipur became a Union Territory under the States’ Re-Organisation Act 1956 and Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act 1956. Under the Territorial Council Act 1956 Manipur was allowed to constitute the Territorial Council with limited administrative powers over transferred subjects and appointment of officials thereto. The Chief Commissioner, however, continued to function as the Chief appointing authority of the territory. Subsequently the Territorial Council was abolished, and Manipur was placed under the Chief Commissioner from May 11, 1963 onwards with a Territorial Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers to assist him. Manipur  attained statehood on January 21, 1972 under the North- East Area (Re-organisation) Act 1971. 

Manipur Public Service Commission : Under Article 315(4) of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) agreed to function as the Public Service Commission of the State of Manipur till October 21, 1972. 

On October 3, 1972 the Governor of Manipur issued the order of constitution of the Manipur Public Service Commission under Article 318 with one Chairman and two Members. Shri B.K. Nehru, Governor of Manipur inaugurated the office of the Manipur Public Service Commission at a glittering function on October 23, 1972 at the Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal. Chief Minister, Shri Alimuddin presided over the function. 

The Pioneering Brains: Shri G.B.K. Hooja MA, IAS was the inaugural Chairman of the Commission, while Shri Laishram Gopal Singh BA(Hon.), IPS and Shri Sibo Larho BA were the premiere members. Shri Karam Gourakishore Singh was the first Secretary of the Manipur Public Service Commission. 

The Commission was housed in the Old Secretariat Building Complex for almost nine years; it was later shifted to the present location in January, 1981. Over the years, Manipur Public Service Commission have grown in stature with a senior IAS officer as the Secretary and an adequate number of officers and ancillary staff.