The Constitution of India has enjoined consultation with the Public Service Commission on matters of appointment and certain other matters as specified in Article 320 in respect of the Civil Services and posts. The Public Service Commission has to perform the duties relating to matters specified in that Article. These include conducting examinations for appointment to Civil Services and posts under the State Government and advising the State Government on all matters relating to methods of recruitment to Civil Services and posts, on the principles to be followed in making appointments to Civil Services and posts and in making promotions and transfers from one service to another, on the suitability of candidates for such appointments, promotions or transfers and on all disciplinary matters affecting a person serving under the State Government in a civil capacity and on certain other matters.

Article 229 and Article 234 also contain provisions in terms of which the Commission is required to be consulted in matters of appointment to certain categories of posts in offices attached to the High Court and to the State Judicial Service respectively. Besides, Acts made for certain statutory bodies contain provisions for consultation with the Commission in matters of appointment to certain categories of posts under such bodies. Article 321 also contains provision in terms of which additional functions may be entrusted to the Commission by an Act made by the State Legislature as respects the services of the State or any local authority or anybody corporate or any public institution. Such an Act has, however, not been made till now.

The Commission is consulted by the State Govt. in making recruitment to a majority of Civil Services and posts. However, some posts under the State Govt. have been kept outside the purview of the Commission by making regulations in terms of the proviso to Article 320(3) of the Constitution. Such regulations are the West Bengal Public Service Commission (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations, 2008.