Union Government Asks UPSC Chief to Cancel Lateral Entry Ads for 45 Top Posts

The Union government has asked the chairperson of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to cancel lateral entry advertisement. The advertisement was issued by UPSC on August 17 for 45 bureaucratic posts. 

The letter written by Union minister for department of Personnel and Training, Jitendra Singh to UPSC chief Preeti Sudan highlighted that the lateral entry should uphold the principles of equity and social justice. 

“While most of the major lateral entries before 2014 were made in an ad-hoc manner, including cases of alleged favoritism, efforts of our government have been to make the process institutionally driven, transparent and open,” said Singh in his letter. 

Consequently, he added since these positions have been treated as specialised and designated as single-cadre posts, there has been no provision for reservation in these appointments. 

“The Prime Minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in our Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation,” the letter read. 

 What is lateral entry? 

Lateral entry is a process of appointing individuals from outside the government directly to middle and senior level positions. The appointments are done contractually for three years, and the maximum can be extended for five years. The purpose of lateral entry was to bring individuals with domain-specific expertise. 

The concept was first introduced in 2004-09 and was backed by the second administrative reforms commission (ARC) established in 2005. It was formally put in place in 2017 following the recommendation of NITI Aayog. 

 Why the sudden backlash? 

The advertisement issued by UPSC was for the recruitment of 45 joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries as specialists in government departments. 

The move met with backlash from the opposition parties as the reservation policy doesn’t apply to lateral entry. 

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition of Lok Sabha said the lateral entry of people into top government positions is an attack on dalits, OBCs and adivasis.  

Union Minister Chirag Paswan said it is a matter of concern. He added, “Reservation provisions must be there in any government appointment. There are no ifs and buts in this.”