विधान (A) : संघ लोकसेवा आयोगाच्या सदस्यांचे वेतन त्यांच्या कार्यकाळात त्यांना नुकसानकारक होईल अशा रितीने बदलता येऊ नये.
कारण (R) : लोकसेवा आयोगाचे स्वातंत्र्य जतन झाले पाहिजे.

The correct answer is Option A (Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).).

Key Points:
• Constitutional Safeguards for UPSC Independence:
• Under Article 318(b) of the Constitution of India, the conditions of service of a member of the Union Public Service Commission cannot be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment.
• Furthermore, under Article 322, the administrative expenses of the UPSC, including all salaries, allowances, and pensions payable to the Chairman and members, are charged directly upon the Consolidated Fund of India and are non-votable by Parliament.
• The underlying intent of these constitutional safeguards is precisely to preserve and insulate the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the Public Service Commission from political or executive interference.
• Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true statements, and Reason (R) provides the direct and correct justification for Assertion (A).
• Key Takeaway: Article 318 protects UPSC members' service conditions from disadvantageous alterations to safeguard institutional independence.