UPSC Cancels Lateral Entry Recruitment Advertisement Following PMO Directive

On August 20, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the cancellation of its advertisement for lateral entry recruitment, following a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

This decision was communicated in a letter from Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the PMO, to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan. Singh indicated that the proposed recruitment of specialists requires a thorough review and reform, as it lacks provisions for reservations, which are crucial for ensuring social justice as emphasized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Singh noted that reservations in public employment are essential for rectifying historical injustices and promoting inclusivity. The government plans to conduct a review of the lateral-entry recruitment to explore how reservations can be integrated for the appointment of specialists while consulting relevant stakeholders.

The PMO’s intervention came amid criticisms from the opposition INDIA bloc and some allies within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including the Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party. These groups expressed concerns over the absence of reservation provisions in the recruitment advertisement.

Originally, the UPSC had issued a notification on August 17, outlining plans to recruit 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries through the lateral entry system, which allows the appointment of specialists from the private sector into government roles. However, following the PMO’s request, the UPSC confirmed that the advertisement for these positions was officially cancelled.

In Patna, Union Minister Chirag Paswan praised the government’s decision, affirming the NDA government’s commitment to the rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The Congress party, which has criticized the government for allegedly undermining reservation policies through the lateral entry system, asserted that the cancellation was a result of concerted opposition efforts led by key figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

In his letter to the UPSC, Jitendra Singh emphasized that the designated positions were treated as specialized, which led to the absence of reservation provisions. He reiterated that this oversight must be addressed to align with the Prime Minister’s commitment to social justice.

Singh referenced the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, which had supported the principle of lateral entry, and the Sixth Pay Commission, which also aligned with this approach. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that previous governments had appointed lateral entrants to significant roles without adhering to reservation processes.

Additionally, Singh remarked on the contrasting recruitment practices of the NDA government, claiming that past lateral entries were often carried out in an ad-hoc manner and accused prior administrations of favoritism. He affirmed that the current government’s approach seeks to ensure a transparent and principled recruitment process for lateral entrants.

The Prime Minister remains committed to aligning the lateral entry process with the constitutional principles of equity and social justice, particularly concerning reservation provisions, to ensure deserving candidates from marginalized communities have appropriate representation within government services. As of now, 63 appointments have been made through the lateral entry system over the past five years.