Under which act were civil service appointments required to be based on exam performance?

The Civil Service Act of 1883, often referred to as the Pendleton Act, established the principle that government jobs should be awarded based on merit rather than on political affiliation or patronage. This legislation mandated that civil service appointments should be determined by examinations, ensuring that candidates were evaluated based on their abilities and qualifications. The act aimed to create a more professional and unbiased federal workforce, reducing corruption that had been prevalent in the appointment processes prior to its enactment.

The significance of this act is profound because it laid the groundwork for the civil service system that continues to exist today, promoting the idea that government positions should be filled by the most competent individuals.