The need for lateral entry in civil services:

The need for lateral entry in civil services: ( (Proposal for middle-rung lateral entry in ministries)

Context

• The Prime Minister Office (PMO) has instructed the department of personnel and training to prepare a proposal for middle-rung lateral entry in ministries dealing with the economy and infrastructure.

The need for lateral entry.

• It is both a workaround for the civil services’ structural failings and an remedy to the complacency that can set in a career-based service.
• The second ARC report points out that it is both possible and desirable to incorporate elements of a position-based system where lateral entry and specialization are common.
• Domain experts have been brought in from outside the services to head various committees, advisory bodies and organizations.
• Both the Niti Aayog and the Planning Commission before it have allowed for lateral entry.
• States such as Jharkhand are now experimenting with it as well.