Indian government urges UPSC to halt lateral entry recruitment

The Indian government has undertaken a notable policy shift concerning the recruitment of civil servants through lateral entry, instructing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw its recent advertisement for these roles. This action follows increasing criticism from opposition parties and apprehensions expressed by coalition partners regarding the absence of reservation provisions for underrepresented communities.

Lateral entry into the bureaucracy facilitates the hiring of individuals from outside the conventional civil service system for mid to senior-level positions. The UPSC had announced 45 vacancies, including roles such as Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across various ministries, to attract “talented and motivated Indian nationals” from a range of backgrounds, including public sector enterprises, statutory bodies, and the private sector. Nevertheless, the lack of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in this recruitment initiative led to considerable opposition.

On August 20, 2024, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, responsible for the Department of Personnel and Training, officially urged the UPSC to retract the advertisement. In his correspondence, Singh underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocates for the lateral entry process to be consistent with the principles of equity and social justice as outlined in the Indian Constitution. He pointed out that the existing advertisement did not incorporate provisions for reservations, which are essential for ensuring the representation of marginalized communities within government positions.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh’s Directive to UPSC

The minister’s letter also indicated a comprehensive re-evaluation of the lateral entry process, which has faced criticism for its arbitrary nature and potential bias in previous recruitments. Singh asserted that the Modi administration intends to enhance the transparency and institutional integrity of the process, moving away from earlier practices that were perceived as lacking accountability.

The decision to withdraw the advertisement has elicited a range of responses. Chirag Paswan, a minister and leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), expressed his approval of the government’s choice, indicating that it demonstrates an awareness of the issues surrounding the representation of SC/ST and OBC groups. He emphasized the importance of following reservation policies in government appointments, asserting that these provisions are essential and cannot be compromised.

In contrast, opposition parties, notably the Congress, have condemned the lateral entry initiative as a tactic to diminish employment opportunities for underprivileged communities. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of attempting to marginalize the rights of disadvantaged groups in favor of party loyalists, characterizing the BJP’s strategy regarding lateral entry as a “conspiracy” designed to benefit its ideological supporters.

The retraction of the lateral entry advertisement indicates a possible change in the Indian government’s strategy regarding civil service recruitment. This decision demonstrates an awareness of the political sensitivities associated with reservation policies, particularly following the recent Lok Sabha elections, during which the opposition successfully rallied against perceived risks to social justice initiatives. Analysts propose that the government’s swift response may be a strategy to alleviate potential backlash and preserve support from SC/ST communities, which are crucial electoral constituencies.

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