NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the lateral recruitment of highly qualified professionals for Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secretary-level positions across various Indian government ministries and departments.
UPSC India is offering ₹2.7 lakh monthly salary for Joint Secretary level posts, ₹2.3 lakh for Director level posts and ₹1.52 lakh for Deputy Secrerary level posts.
Gautam Sen, an ex-LSE professor of political economy shared his opinion on the same and said, “For a long time India did not have the budgetary resources to remunerate its vital administrators at a level commensurate with their responsibilities. It’s appropriate the government has taken note and addressed the issue though, in my judgement, the enhanced monthly salaries remain modest despite all the enviable perks such officers enjoy. Their remuneration really does need to have a degree of comparability with the surging rewards of the private sector”
The recruitment is being conducted on a contract basis, with the selected candidates expected to contribute to nation-building in key strategic areas.
The positions are available in ministries such as Electronics & Information Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Finance, Science & Technology, and others. The application process is open to motivated Indian nationals, with the deadline set for September 17, 2024.
Neeraj Kansal, Founder and CEO of Crack Academy, India’s first online edtech platform for Civil Services Examination, said, “The lateral recruitment initiative is a commendable approach that recognizes the importance of specialized skills and innovative ideas in today’s evolving governance landscape. By inviting professionals from various industries into key government roles, India is bridging the gap between traditional expertise and new industry knowledge. This blend of talent will drive transformative change, ensuring that our policies and administrative strategies are more responsive to current challenges and future needs.”
This recruitment drive aims to attract individuals with substantial experience and expertise in their respective fields. For instance, the position of Joint Secretary (Emerging Technologies) in the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology requires a postgraduate degree and 15 years of experience in technology, with a focus on new and emerging technologies. The role involves policy research, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement to drive the implementation of high-impact projects across India.
Similarly, the Joint Secretary (Semiconductors and Electronics) role within the same ministry is targeted at professionals with a background in electronics, communication, or related fields, with a mandate to oversee the growth of the electronics manufacturing sector in India. The responsibilities include leading initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and driving investment promotion efforts in the sector.
Other positions, such as the Joint Secretary (Environment Policy and Environment Law) in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, demand extensive experience in environmental policy and law. The selected candidate will be responsible for policy formulation, implementation, and the administration of environmental programs and projects.