What is UPSC Lateral Entry In Bureaucracy and Why It Has No Reservation | Explained

UPSC Lateral Entry: Union Minister of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Jitendra Singh on Tuesday requested Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to cancel recent vertisement for lateral entry positions. This move comes in response to direct instructions from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. 

In largest recruitment drive since inception of lateral entry in 2019, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) this week announced opening of 45 mid-level positions across various ministries and departments. se posts, aimed at bringing in specialist talent from outside tritional civil service, include roles at level of joint secretary, director, and deputy secretary. move is part of government's ongoing efforts to inject expertise into ministration.

announcement sparked a sharp backlash from opposition parties, who argue that lateral entry system undermines reservation system that protects opportunities for marginalized communities. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media, accusing government of a "double attack" on reservations, claiming that ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is deliberately circumventing reservation system through such recruitment processes.

What is UPSC Lateral Entry Policy?

Lateral entry into Indian bureaucracy is a process through which individuals from outside tritional government service cres are recruited to fill mid and senior-level positions. This practice is designed to infuse fresh expertise and perspective into civil service, especially for roles that require specialized knowledge not typically available within ranks of tritional government officials.

Historical Context

concept of lateral entry isn't entirely new. It was formally recommended by Second ministrative Reforms Commission (ARC) established in 2005 under United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Chaired by Congress leer Veerappa Moily, ARC vocated for bringing in professionals from private sector, acemia, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to improve policy implementation and governance. However, it was during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure that lateral entry was officially implemented, with first vacancies announced in 2018.

How Does It Work?

Candidates selected through lateral entry are typically hired on contracts ranging from three to five years, with possibility of extensions based on ir performance. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) oversees recruitment process, ensuring transparency and fairness. Positions such as joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across various ministries are filled through this method.

Why Govt Asked To Cancel UPSC Lateral Entry vertisement

most recent vertisement for lateral entry, issued by UPSC on August 17, 2024, sought applications for 45 senior positions in 24 ministries. se roles are critical decision-making and ministrative positions within government departments. announcement sparked political debate, particularly around issue of reservations.

Critics, including Congress leer Rahul Gandhi, have argued that lateral entry process undermines reservation system, which provides opportunities for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Or Backward Classes (OBC) in government jobs. Gandhi and or opposition leers have accused government of using lateral entry to bypass reservations, with some alleging that it serves as a backdoor method to recruit individuals aligned with ruling party's ideology.

Why re Is No Reservation in UPSC Lateral Entry Posts

controversy surrounding reservations stems from fact that lateral entry hires are not subject to same reservation policies as or government jobs. According to a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) circular, reservation policies do not apply to lateral entry appointments because se are typically "single post" roles. In 2019, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for DoPT, clarified that caste-based quotas do not apply to se positions as y are individual appointments rar than group recruitment.

Government's Defense

BJP has defended lateral entry system, highlighting that it was originally conceptualized during Congress-led UPA government. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that lateral entry is a necessary reform to bring specialized talent into bureaucracy, particularly in areas requiring domain expertise. He pointed out that current process is transparent, with selections me by UPSC.