Why in the News?

The Central government asked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday, August 20, to cancel an advertisement from three days earlier that called for applications to fill senior government positions through lateral recruitment.

What is ‘Lateral Entry’ into the Bureaucracy?

• Definition: Lateral entry refers to the recruitment of personnel from outside the traditional civil services into senior and middle-level positions in the central government. These entrants come from various backgrounds, including state/UT governments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), statutory organizations, research institutes, universities, and the private sector.
• Objective: The idea is to bring in individuals with domain expertise and specialized knowledge to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of governance. These individuals are usually appointed on contracts of three years, which can be extended to a total of five years.

What are the Positions Open for Lateral Entry?

• Positions Advertised: Lateral entry initially focused on Joint Secretary-level positions, which are high-ranking roles within a Department. Over time, positions for Director and Deputy Secretary levels were also opened.
• Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Joint Secretary: Third-highest rank in a Department, responsible for decision-making and administrative head of a wing within the Department.
  • Director/Deputy Secretary: Middle-level officials, performing roles similar to Joint Secretaries in most ministries.

What was the Union Government’s Logic Behind Introducing Lateral Entries?

• Rationale: The government introduced lateral recruitment to bring in fresh talent and specialized skills that may not be available within the traditional civil services.
• NITI Aayog’s Recommendation: The policy was recommended in 2017 by NITI Aayog in its three-year Action Agenda and by the Sectoral Group of Secretaries (SGoS) on Governance.

How Many People Have Been Appointed via Lateral Recruitment So Far?

• First Round (2018): The first round attracted 6,077 applications for Joint Secretary-level positions. Nine individuals were eventually selected and appointed in 2019.
• Subsequent Rounds: Additional rounds of recruitment occurred in 2021 and May 2023. As of August 2024, a total of 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry, with 57 lateral entrants currently holding positions in various Ministries/Departments.

What is the Criticism of Lateral Entry Recruitment?

• Lack of Reservations: A significant criticism of lateral recruitment is the absence of quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
• Promotion Concerns: Critics like Mayawati have pointed out that lateral entry deprives lower-level employees in the civil services of promotion opportunities, which would otherwise be available through a merit-based system.

Way forward: 

• Incorporate Inclusive Quota Provisions: To address the criticism regarding the absence of reservations, the government could consider introducing a reservation policy for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in lateral entry recruitment.
• Establish a Transparent and Merit-Based Selection Process: To ensure the credibility and effectiveness of lateral recruitment, the government should enhance transparency in the selection process. This could involve clearly defined eligibility criteria, objective assessment methods, and regular monitoring of the performance of lateral entrants.

Mains PYQ:

Q Has the Cadre-based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow in India? Critically examine. (UPSC IAS/2014)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now