In a significant policy reversal, the government on Tuesday directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to cancel its recent advertisement for lateral entry into senior positions within the bureaucracy.
The decision comes in the wake of intense opposition criticism and reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to aligning such moves with the principles of social justice.
Union Minister Jitender Singh, in a letter to the UPSC chief, conveyed the Prime Minister’s views, stating that “the move should be aligned with social justice.” Singh emphasized the need for the lateral entry process to respect the constitutional provisions of reservation and to ensure fair representation for marginalized communities in government services.
The UPSC’s advertisement, issued last week, sought “talented and motivated Indian nationals” for lateral recruitment to senior roles such as Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across 24 ministries, offering a total of 45 posts. This marked the latest step in a process that was formally introduced during Modi’s tenure, starting in 2018, as a means to bring in external expertise to the government.
Opposition criticisms
The concept of lateral entry, however, has sparked a fierce debate. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi denounced the move, labeling it as an “attack on Dalits” and accusing the government of bypassing traditional recruitment processes to favor individuals loyal to the ruling party’s ideological base. Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, also criticized the lateral entry system, alleging it was being used to undermine the UPSC and sideline candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
In contrast, Union Minister Chirag Paswan of the BJP’s ally LJP (Ram Vilas) praised the government’s decision to pull back the advertisement. “The move shows that the government listens to public concerns,” Paswan said, thanking the Prime Minister for his responsiveness.
Minister Jitender Singh’s letter further defended the government’s approach, arguing that previous lateral entries before 2014 were often ad-hoc and marred by alleged favoritism. He noted that the current administration’s efforts have been aimed at making the process “institutionally driven, transparent, and open.”
Singh also highlighted the historical context, pointing out that the concept of lateral entry was first endorsed during the Congress-led UPA government in the mid-2000s. The idea was recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), chaired by Congress leader Veerappa Moily, and later supported by the Sixth Pay Commission in 2013.
‘Implementation of lateral entry historically lacked transparency’
Despite these recommendations, Singh noted that the implementation of lateral entry has historically lacked transparency and fairness, particularly concerning the reservation of positions for marginalized communities. He cited examples of key appointments made without following proper reservation protocols, including roles within the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and other Secretary-level posts during previous administrations.
“For PM Modi, reservation in public employment is a cornerstone of our social justice framework,” Singh wrote, stressing the importance of ensuring that deserving candidates from marginalized communities receive their rightful representation.
The decision to cancel the UPSC advertisement is seen as a significant step toward addressing these concerns and reinforcing the government’s commitment to social justice and empowerment.
The debate over lateral entry is likely to continue, with both the ruling party and the opposition expected to further engage on the implications of such recruitment practices for the future of Indian bureaucracy.
