The UPSC exam incident that ignited national debate on discrimination in civil services was when a candidate, Jyoti Kumari, allegedly faced bias during her examination process due to her caste. This incident brought to light the challenges and disparities faced by Scheduled Castes in accessing equal opportunity within the framework of civil services. It sparked discussions regarding the provisions and protections outlined in the Constitution of India for marginalized groups. The debate emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the selection process, prompting calls for reforms to address systemic inequalities in civil services.