Centre asks UPSC to cancel lateral entry advertisement following reservation row

NEW DELHI: Following a row over the UPSC lateral entry recruitment, the Union government has asked the commission to withdraw the advertisement. Recently, the Union Public Service Commission invited applications for the recruitment of 45 posts including 10 for joint secretaries and 35 for directors or deputy secretaries in different ministries, through the lateral entry mode on contract basis.

The Minister of State (MoS) for personnel training Jitender Singh wrote to UPSC chairman about the issue of non-reservation and “favoritism” in the lateral entry recruitments. While the principle of lateral entry was endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission formed in 2005, there have been several “high-profile” cases of lateral entrants, the minister alleged in the letter.

Explaining the problem with the lateral entry into UPSC recruitments, Singh recalled that important posts such as secretary in various ministries and UIDAI leader have been previously filled with the mode without the provisions of reservations. “Further, it is well known that the members of the infamous National Advisory Council used to run a super-bureaucracy that controlled the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said.

Singh told the commission that the current Narendra Modi government is making efforts to make the recruitment process transparent and open unlike lateral entries before the year 2014 which were conducted in ad-hoc manner, while promoting alleged favoritism.

UPSC Recruitment: Reservation, favoritism

“Further, 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.
For the Hon'ble Prime Minister, reservation in public employment is a cornerstone of our social justice framework, aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity,” the letter read.

Also read UPSC cancels Puja Khedkar's IAS selection; debars her from all future exams

The government feels the importance of ensuring social justice so that deserving candidates from the marginalized communities get an opportunity to represent themselves in the central government services.

There is no provision for reservation in the lateral entry appointments as the posts are single cadre and have been specialised (including officials from private sector) to bring fresh talent, Jitendra Singh said, and expressed the need for reviewing and reforming the recruitment process in line with the PM’s focus on upholding social justice..

As per the UPSC advertisement, the vacancies were to be filled for a period of three years which could be extended to five years. Candidates working in private sector companies, consultancy organisations, international or multinational organisations among others were invited to apply for the JS posts in home, finance, steel ministries and vacancies in agriculture and farmers welfare, civil aviation, other departments.