Lateral entry into bureaucracy: 5 things to know about govt's new hiring policy

Aug. 19, 2024, 8:57 a.m.

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India’s Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently announced a new recruitment initiative for Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries through a lateral entry approach.

This decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it undermines reservation rights for OBCs, SCs, and STs. However, the concept of lateral entry was first introduced by the Congress-led UPA government and received strong support from the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), established in 2005 under the leadership of Veerappa Moily.

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1. The Second ARC, headed by Veerappa Moily, identified the need for specialized knowledge in certain government roles that was not always readily available within the traditional civil services. The ARC recommended recruiting professionals from sectors such as private industry, academia, and public enterprises to address these gaps.

2. To enhance government capabilities, the ARC suggested establishing a talent pool comprising experts who could be recruited for government roles on a temporary or contractual basis. This would introduce fresh perspectives and expertise in areas like economics, finance, technology, and public policy.

The Commission emphasized the importance of a transparent and merit-based selection process for these lateral entrants. It suggested establishing a dedicated agency to manage the recruitment and supervision of these professionals.

4. The ARC recommended implementing a robust performance monitoring system to ensure that lateral entrants are held accountable for their contributions and their performance is consistently evaluated.

5. The ARC also emphasized the importance of integrating lateral entrants into the existing civil service framework in a manner that upholds the integrity and values of the civil service while leveraging their specialized skills.

History of Lateral entry

The initial Administrative Reforms Commission, established in 1966 under the leadership of Morarji Desai and subsequently K. Hanumanthaiah, set the stage for discussions on the need for specialized skills within civil services. While not explicitly advocating for lateral entry, it highlighted the significance of professionalization, training, and reforms to meet the evolving demands of a changing nation.

Historically, the Indian government has sought expertise from outside the civil service by appointing individuals to senior advisory roles and, on occasion, to key administrative positions. For instance, the Chief Economic Advisor, typically an outsider, is always a prominent economist under the age of 45. Other highly qualified individuals have also been appointed to high-level positions such as Secretaries to the Government.

Lateral Entry During the Modi Government:

The formal introduction of the lateral entry scheme occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure. Recognising the need for domain experts to enhance administrative efficiency, the government announced vacancies for senior positions like Joint Secretaries and Directors in 2018.

This initiative marked the first time that professionals from outside the traditional civil service were invited to apply for these roles. The rigorous selection process emphasised candidates’ qualifications, experience, and suitability for these strategic positions.

Advertisement This move was influenced by the ARC’s earlier recommendations and aimed to make the administration more dynamic and responsive to modern governance challenges. The recruitment of Joint Secretaries in 2018 put into practice the ARC’s vision, demonstrating a commitment to integrating specialised external expertise into the civil service.