Lateral Entry into Indian Bureaucracy

Syllabus: GS2/Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Context

• A recent advertisement to recruit 45 members laterally to posts under the aegis of the Union Service Public Commission has sparked controversy.

About the Lateral Entry

• It refers to the practice of recruiting individuals from outside the traditional civil services (such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Revenue Service) to fill senior and mid-level positions in government ministries and departments.
• The appointments are mainly to be made for the posts of the Director, Joint Secretary and also Deputy Secretary.
• A Joint Secretary, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), has the third highest rank (after Secretary and Additional Secretary) in a Department, and functions as administrative head of a wing in the Department.
• Directors are a rank below that of Joint Secretary.
• These recruits typically come from diverse backgrounds — private sector, academia, or other specialised fields — and are brought in to infuse fresh perspectives, domain expertise, and efficiency into the bureaucracy.

Historical Context

• Congress-Led Rule: The concept of lateral entry isn’t entirely new. During previous Congress-led governments, lateral appointments were made.
  • For instance, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who later became Prime Minister, was appointed as Financial Secretary through lateral entry.
  • Similarly, Montek Singh Ahluwalia served as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission via the same route.
• NDA’s Approach: Under Prime Minister’s leadership, the process of lateral entry was organised and made more transparent. Experts from relevant fields are now recruited on a contractual basis through the UPSC, which aims to enhance efficiency and bring specialised skills into the bureaucracy.

UPSC’s Role

• The UPSC plays a crucial role in lateral entry. Online applications are invited for ministries, departments, public sector undertakings, and autonomous bodies.
• The contractual appointments are initially for three years, extendable based on performance.

Arguments in Favour

• Specialized Talent and Expertise: Proponents argue that lateral entry brings fresh perspectives and specialised skills.
  • By tapping into talent from diverse fields—such as technology, economics, or management—the government can enhance its decision-making processes and service delivery.
• Efficiency and Innovation: Lateral entrants can inject new ideas, improve efficiency, and drive innovation.
  • Their experience in the private sector or academia can lead to more effective policy implementation and administrative reforms.
• Transparency and Meritocracy: When done transparently, lateral entry ensures that qualified individuals are selected based on merit rather than just exam scores. This can strengthen the meritocratic principles of the bureaucracy.
• Shortfalls in number of Recruits: There is nearly 20% shortage of IAS officers in 24 state cadres in India. (Baswan Committee)
  • The number of appointees is insignificant to bridge the gap, especially as India faces a shortage of civil servants

Arguments Against

• Reservation Concerns: Critics worry that lateral entry bypasses reservation policies for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
  • They fear that it might disproportionately affect representation from marginalised communities.
• Lack of Institutional Memory: Traditional civil servants have a deep understanding of bureaucratic processes and institutional memory.
  • Lateral entrants may lack this context, leading to potential challenges in navigating complex administrative systems.
• Risk of Political Influence: There’s a risk that lateral entrants could be politically influenced or used to further specific agendas.
  • Striking the right balance between expertise and neutrality is crucial.

Why does lateral entry sidestep reservations?

• Single-Post Classification: When a ministry advertises a position for lateral entry, it treats it as a single vacancy. Unlike regular recruitment through the UPSC, where multiple candidates are selected for a cadre, lateral entry focuses on filling specific roles.
  • As a result, the mandatory quotas for SC/ST/OBC candidates don’t apply.
• Upside: Proponents argue that lateral entry brings fresh perspectives, domain expertise, and efficiency. After all, sometimes you need a seasoned chef to spice up the bureaucratic curry.
• Downside: Critics worry that this approach might sideline deserving candidates who’ve slogged through the UPSC exams.
  • They fear it could lead to a talent drain from the traditional civil services.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The government should first focus on the creation of in house specialisation and out of government work deputation.
• For specialised technological upgrades where no Civil Servant is competent enough, a semi-permanent team may be created by Lateral Entry.
• The Limited Lateral Entry with focus on upskilling the in-house teams will help create a balance between much-needed experience and technological upgrades along with smooth functioning constitutional mechanisms.
• Lateral entry remains a contentious yet necessary reform. Striking the right balance between tradition and innovation is crucial for an efficient and responsive bureaucracy. As India continues to evolve, so must its administrative machinery.

Source: IE