In 1886, Lord Dufferin established a "Public Service Commission" headed by Sir Charles Aitchison to investigate the problems of India's civil services. The Atchison Commission (Public Service Commission) was established in 1886 under the chairmanship of Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison to devise a plan to address Indians' claims to higher and more extensive employment in the public sector. In this article, we will discuss the Aitchison Commission, 1886 which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Aitchison Commission - Features

• The Aitchison Commission was appointed to make recommendations on Indian Civil Services.
• Lord Dufferin appointed a “Public Service Commission” which was known as the Aitchison Commission.
• Lord Dufferin served as the Viceroy of India from 1884-to 1888
• The Commission was under Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison.
• It was established to address Indians' claim to higher employment in the public sector.
• Sir Charles Aitchison approved three divisions of civil service: imperial, provincial, and subordinate.

Aitchison Commission - Recommendations

• The two-tier civil service classification of covenanted and uncovenanted should be replaced by a three-tier classification of imperial, provincial, and subordinate civil services.
• The minimum age for entering the civil service should be 23.
• The statutory civil service recruitment system should be abolished.
• The competitive exam should not be held in both England and India at the same time.
• The promotion of members of provincial civil service should fill a certain percentage of imperial civil service posts.

Aitchison Commission - Decisions Made

• It opposed simultaneous examination for covenanted service and advocated for the abolition of mandatory civil service.
• It proposed the establishment of a provincial civil service, the members of which would be recruited separately in each province, either through promotion from lower ranks or through direct recruitment.
• It proposed that the terms "covenanted" and "uncovenanted" be replaced by "imperial" and "provincial," respectively.
• It proposed that the minimum and maximum age limits for Indians taking open civil service examinations by 19 and 23 years old, respectively.

About Sir Charles Aitchison

• Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison (20 May 1832 – 18 February 1896) was a Scottish colonial administrator who served as Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, then a province of British India.
• In 1886, he founded Aitchison College in Lahore. From March 1878 to May 1880, he was the Chief Commissioner of the British Crown Colony of Burma.
• In 1855, he ranked fifth in the first competitive examination for the Indian Civil Service, and after a year in England studying law and oriental languages, he arrived in Kolkata (then Calcutta) on September 26, 1856.
• He was appointed an assistant in Hissár, then a district of the North-Western Provinces, in March 1857, and was transferred to Punjab the following month, shortly after the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• As a result of this transfer, he escaped a European massacre on May 29 at Hissár.
• His first station in his new province was Amritsar, where he was immediately assigned to carry out the measures put in place to prevent the Jalandhar mutineers from crossing the Beas River on the orders of the deputy commissioner.
• In 1859, he joined the government of India's secretariat as an under-secretary in the political department, where he remained until 1865, when, at the request of Sir John Lawrence, then governor-general, he took up administrative work in Punjab.
• In 1868, he returned to the secretariat as foreign secretary, a position he held until 1878.

Conclusion

The recommendations of Aitchison were accepted, and the covenanted civil service became known as the Civil Service of India. The provincial service was named after the province. The recommendations were carried out, and the statutory civil service was abolished in 1892.

FAQs

Q1: What was the primary objective of the Aitchison Commission?

Q2: Who was the head of the Aitchison Commission?

Q3: What were the key recommendations made by the Aitchison Commission?

Q4: How did the Aitchison Commission influence the educational landscape in India?

Q5: What impact did the Aitchison Commission have on Indian society?

MCQs

1. In which year was the Aitchison Commission established?

(a) 1880

(b) 1885

(c) 1886

(d) 1890

2. Who chaired the Aitchison Commission?

(a) Lord Curzon

(b) Sir Charles Aitchison

(c) Lord Ripon

(d) Sir John Strachey

3. What was a major recommendation of the Aitchison Commission?

(a) Abolition of all forms of education

(b) Introduction of a uniform education system

(c) Promotion of religious education only

(d) Increase in fees for all educational institutions

4. What type of education did the Aitchison Commission emphasize?

(a) Only higher education

(b) Primary and secondary education

(c) Religious education

(d) Military education

5. What long-term effect did the Aitchison Commission's recommendations have on India?

(a) Decreased literacy rates

(b) Strengthening of traditional education only

(c) Increased literacy and social reform movements

(d) Complete control of education by the British

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers 

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the Aitchison Commission in shaping educational policies in India.

Answer: The Aitchison Commission (1886) marked a transformative period in the educational landscape of British India. Its significance lies in the establishment of a structured educational framework aimed at addressing the growing need for modern education. The Commission recommended a uniform education system that catered to both primary and secondary levels, emphasizing the importance of teacher training and vocational education. This approach not only aimed to improve literacy rates but also sought to align education with the economic needs of Indian society. The Commission's work laid the groundwork for future educational reforms, contributing to a more educated populace capable of participating in the socio-political landscape of India. The long-term impact of its recommendations facilitated the rise of educated Indian leaders who would later play pivotal roles in the independence movement.

Q2: Discuss the impact of the Aitchison Commission's recommendations on Indian society during the British Raj.

Answer: The Aitchison Commission's recommendations had a profound impact on Indian society during the British Raj. By advocating for a more systematic approach to education, it played a crucial role in increasing literacy rates and awareness among the populace. The emphasis on primary and secondary education, along with vocational training, addressed the needs of a society undergoing significant economic changes. This shift fostered a new class of educated Indians who were not only skilled but also politically aware. The rise of social reform movements can be attributed, in part, to the educational advancements promoted by the Commission. As more Indians became educated, they began to challenge colonial policies and demand greater political rights, setting the stage for the nationalistic movements that would emerge in the early 20th century.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced by the Aitchison Commission in implementing its recommendations.

Answer: The Aitchison Commission faced several challenges in implementing its recommendations for educational reform in India. One major hurdle was the vast diversity of languages, cultures, and social structures across the subcontinent, which made it difficult to establish a uniform education system. Resistance from traditional educational institutions that were entrenched in their practices posed another significant challenge. Additionally, the colonial government's lack of commitment to fully fund and support the proposed reforms hindered progress. Economic constraints and political unrest in various regions further complicated the situation. Despite these challenges, the Commission's recommendations laid the groundwork for future educational policies, emphasizing the need for a balance between Western educational models and traditional Indian values.

Previous Year Questions on  Aitchison Commission

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022

Question: What was the primary focus of the Aitchison Commission?

Answer: The Aitchison Commission primarily focused on reforming the education system in British India. Established in 1886, the Commission aimed to evaluate existing educational practices and recommend improvements, including the establishment of a uniform education system. The Aitchison Commission, established in 1886, was a pivotal body aimed at reforming education in British India. Chaired by Sir Charles Aitchison, the Commission's primary focus was to evaluate the existing educational framework and propose recommendations to enhance its effectiveness.
At the time, the education system in India was fragmented, with significant disparities in access and quality. The British colonial administration recognized the need for a structured approach to education that would not only promote literacy but also align educational outcomes with the economic and social needs of the growing Indian society.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Discuss the implications of the Aitchison Commission's recommendations on the social fabric of Indian society. 

Answer: The Aitchison Commission's recommendations significantly impacted the social fabric of Indian society by promoting educational reforms that encouraged broader access to education. By advocating for a structured education system that included primary and secondary education, the Commission aimed to enhance literacy rates across different social strata. This initiative led to the emergence of a new educated class, which played a pivotal role in various social reform movements. As more individuals gained education, they became increasingly aware of socio-political issues, fostering a sense of identity and collective consciousness that transcended traditional caste and class boundaries. Moreover, the introduction of vocational education catered to the economic needs of local communities, further integrating education into the daily lives of Indians. Consequently, the Commission's recommendations not only aimed to uplift individual literacy but also sought to strengthen the societal framework, enabling a more informed populace that could engage with and challenge colonial policies. Thus, the Aitchison Commission laid a crucial foundation for educational progress that resonated through subsequent generations in India.