Centre’s ‘lateral entry’ plan gains traction

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre’s ‘lateral entry’ plan gains traction” published in Business Standard on 6^th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance – Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Relevance: Concerns associated with lateral entry

News: Recently, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) issued a list of 20 lateral recruitments to middle and senior levels of central government service.

What is lateral entry?

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How has been the response of the people for the lateral entry?

When the government initiated lateral recruitment for middle and senior positions in 2019, it saw opposition from group of people.

However, despite the opposition, the government has still continued to recruit personnel through lateral entry.

Further, the lack of opposition to the recent advertisement indicates that lateral recruitments have become a regular and accepted practice within the government system.

However, specialist roles in areas like audit, Railways, and tax (direct and indirect) have not yet been opened to lateral recruitments, despite reports of the government facing a shortage of specialists.

What are the concerns with lateral entry?

As per former chairman of the UPSC, Deepak Gupta, such recruitments could potentially devolve into an uncontrolled spoils system that favors politicians.

Further as per a former CAG, while selective use of lateral entry may have limited benefits, its widespread implementation could ultimately undermine the entire system.

Moreover, the new entrants through lateral recruitments are not designated as members of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or an equivalent service.

However, acknowledging the need of lateral entry, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has taken steps to establish designated officers and sections to manage the process more systematically instead of relying on ad hoc arrangements.

Despite this, there are still challenges associated. For instance, despite being granted an extension beyond the initial three-year term, a lateral entrant chose to resign in just eight months into his new term without giving any reason.

This highlights that challenges and factors influencing individuals’ decisions to leave still exist within the government.

Must Read: Issue of lateral entry into the Bureaucracy

What can be the way ahead?

First, it is necessary to evaluate whether a specific gap within the government can be effectively filled by a lateral entrant, rather than solely focusing on vacancies.

Second, it is also required to invest in HR capabilities by bringing in experienced professionals through lateral entry at senior positions.

Third, the government has set up the Capacity Building Commission and Mission Karmayogi to train government employees about their roles. However, both the institutions have not stepped in to deal with lateral entrants.

Fourth, the government has implemented a streamlined process for lateral entry appointments to bring in the most talented individuals with expertise to fulfill specific tasks.

The aim is to ensure that the best-of-the-best talent is inducted through lateral entry and effectively utilized within the government.

      Source: Business Standard