Centre asks UPSC to cancel lateral entry advertisement, says process to be reviewed to add quotas

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has cancelled its recent advertisement for recruiting bureaucrats through lateral entry, following a directive from the central government. This decision comes amid growing political controversy over the issue. On August 17, the UPSC had announced a notification for recruiting 45 Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries through lateral entry, which involves appointing specialists, including those from the private sector, to government departments.

Opposition parties quickly criticized the move, arguing that it undermined the reservation rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). In response to these concerns, the UPSC issued a cancellation notice stating that the advertisement had been withdrawn at the request of the requisitioning authority.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, wrote to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan, urging her to cancel the advertisement. Singh emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views reservation in public employment as a fundamental aspect of the government’s commitment to social justice, which seeks to address historical injustices and promote inclusivity.

Singh noted that the advertised positions were designated as single-cadre posts, meaning they did not include provisions for reservations. He argued that this practice needed to be reconsidered and reformed in light of the Prime Minister’s focus on ensuring social justice. Singh’s letter expressed his belief that cancelling the advertisement would represent a significant step forward in the government’s pursuit of social justice and empowerment.

Singh pointed out that the concept of lateral entry had been endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, which was established in 2005 under the leadership of Veerappa Moily. The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in 2013 also supported this approach. However, Singh acknowledged that high-profile lateral entries had occurred both before and after these recommendations, often without adherence to reservation policies.

Singh highlighted that previous governments had appointed lateral entrants to critical positions, such as Secretary in various ministries and leadership roles within the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), without following reservation protocols. He also referenced the National Advisory Council, which he claimed operated as a “super-bureaucracy” controlling the Prime Minister’s Office without following proper procedures.

While acknowledging that earlier lateral entries were often ad hoc and allegedly involved favoritism, Singh asserted that the current government has sought to institutionalize and make the process transparent and open. He further emphasized that Prime Minister Modi believes that lateral entry should align with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution, particularly regarding reservation provisions.

Reacting to the cancellation, Union Minister Chirag Paswan praised the Modi government for reaffirming its commitment to SCs, STs, and OBCs by withdrawing the UPSC’s lateral entry advertisement. Paswan criticized the Congress-led Opposition for its selective criticism of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and accused previous governments of failing to fill posts reserved for deprived castes.

Paswan thanked Prime Minister Modi on behalf of his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) for the cancellation and expressed hope that future governments would display similar sensitivity to public sentiments. Addressing the criticism directed at the government, Paswan reminded the Opposition that their failure to ensure reservations in the past undermines their current accusations.

In a related statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vowed that his party would protect the Constitution and the reservation system at all costs. He accused the BJP of conspiring to undermine these systems through measures like lateral entry and pledged to resist such efforts, including by advocating for the removal of the 50% reservation cap to ensure social justice based on a caste census.