UPSC Lateral Entry 2024: Why Govt Paused Recruitment & Future Implications

Policy Status & Controversy
Current Stand: MoS Jitendra Singh affirmed lateral entry is “not suspended” but under review to incorporate reservations (SC/ST/OBC).
2024 Trigger: UPSC’s advertisement for 45 posts was cancelled within 3 days after backlash over exclusion of quotas (August 2024).
Constitutional Conflict: Singh acknowledged PM Modi’s directive to align policy with Article 16 (equality in public employment) and social justice.

Why Lateral Entry?
Expertise Gap: Introduced in 2018 to induct private-sector specialists into senior bureaucratic roles (Joint Secretary/Director).

Historical Precedent:
1948-49: Emergency Recruitment Board hired 82 officers.
1956: Open-market recruitments with age/income relaxations for SC/ST candidates.
Global Practice: Singh emphasized single-post recruitments globally avoid reservations.
Key Challenges

Reservation Implementation:
Govt initially claimed “single-cadre posts” couldn’t apply quotas.
Critics demand adherence to 15% SC/7.5% ST quotas as in regular recruitments.
Procedural Ambiguity:
No transparent mechanism since 2018 (only 38 appointments so far).
Equity Concerns:
1956 recruitment required ₹300 monthly income – excluded marginalized groups.
 

Sample Q&As for Exam Prep
Q: Which constitutional principle prompted the lateral entry policy review?
A: Article 16 (right to equal opportunity in public employment).
Q: Why was UPSC’s 2024 lateral entry recruitment cancelled?
A: Lack of reservation provisions for SC/ST/OBC candidates.
Q: Identify two historical precedents for lateral entry in India.
A: 1948 Emergency Recruitment (82 officers) and 1956 open-market recruitments.
Q: What rationale did MoS cite for excluding reservations in lateral entry?
A: Global practice of not applying quotas to single-post recruitments.
Q: How does lateral entry align with India’s governance goals?
A: Bridges expertise gaps in bureaucracy through private-sector specialists.