UPSC Cancels Lateral Entry Recruitment

The Union Public Service Commission, known as UPSC, has decided to cancel its advertisement for 45 lateral entry positions. This decision comes after some pushback from political allies like JD(U) and LJP regarding the lack of caste reservations in these roles.

On August 20, UPSC announced the cancellation, explaining that it was acting on a directive from the government. Earlier, Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, had reached out to UPSC, asking for the cancellation as part of a review of the lateral entry process.

The minister’s letter emphasized the need for fairness and social justice in the recruitment process. It pointed out that the current system had not included provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, which was a major concern for many political leaders.

Interestingly, this move reflects a shift in Prime Minister Modi‘s approach during his third term in office. Unlike his earlier terms when the BJP held a strong majority, now the government appears to be more attuned to coalition dynamics. There’s a palpable feeling that the pressure from allies has influenced this recent decision.

Political reactions have poured in since the announcement. Allies of the BJP, including Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, have welcomed the cancellation, expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister for his sensitivity to reservation issues.

On the contrary, opposition parties have criticized the government, saying that the cancellation shows the BJP’s reluctance to uphold constitutional provisions related to social justice. Congress leaders have been vocal, claiming victory for their advocacy for caste-based reservations.

Overall, the decision to cancel the lateral entry positions under UPSC has sparked various reactions and highlighted the ongoing debates around social justice and representation in government roles.