NEW DELHI: Three days after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invited applications for lateral entry posts in the Indian bureaucracy, the government announced on Tuesday that the recruitment process was being cancelled.
In an exclusive conversation with The New Indian, Ajit Kumar, Director (public relations) of Sharda University, shared his thoughts on this development. Kumar remarked, “It’s unlikely that the government will completely abandon the concept of lateral entry. They may be planning some amendments to the recruitment process rather than a complete cancellation.”
Kumar emphasized the importance of lateral entry, stating, “Lateral entry increases competitiveness and introduces new perspectives into the government workflow. Professionals from the private sector can challenge the hierarchical dynamics within government offices, which often arise from long tenures in the same position.”
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Kumar also questioned why lateral entry is limited to positions such as Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary. “Why are these positions the only ones considered for lateral entry? The system should extend this opportunity to other high-level posts, including Cabinet Secretary positions,” he suggested.
On the issue of reservation in lateral entry, Kumar questioned its necessity, saying, “There is no reservation for Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary positions in the traditional recruitment process. So, why introduce reservations for lateral entry, especially when these positions are on contract for a limited term of three to four years?”
Concluding his remarks, Kumar advocated for a revised recruitment process, stating, “While I support lateral entry, the current process needs improvement. The recruitment should be more transparent and based on merit. As it stands, there’s a risk that candidates with connections to senior management might have an advantage. Therefore, the procedure should be reformed to ensure fairness and quality.”
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Lateral Entry in UPSC is designed to bring in specialized expertise from outside the traditional civil services. This process allows experienced professionals from various sectors to be appointed to senior roles in government, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency and bring fresh perspectives.
Lateral entry candidates are selected through a process managed by the UPSC, which includes advertisements for specific posts and selection based on expertise and experience.
The process typically involves direct appointments for fixed tenures, with no provision for reservations similar to those applied in traditional UPSC exams.
The recent cancellation of lateral entry recruitment by the Central Government was prompted by concerns over aligning the process with the principles of social justice and reservation. Critics argue that lateral entry could undermine the reservation system, which is intended to ensure representation for marginalized communities.