New Delhi, the bustling capital city of India, is not only known for its rich history and cultural heritage but also for being the political hub of the country. Recently, the city has been at the center of a heated debate surrounding the concept of ‚lateral entry‘ recruitment into the civil services.
Former Law Minister Veerappa Moily has been a vocal advocate for the creation of a central statutory body to oversee lateral entry recruitment into the higher ranks of the civil services. Lateral entry refers to the recruitment of individuals from outside service cadres, such as the Indian Administrative Service, to fill mid and senior-level positions in central or state ministries.
Mr. Moily, who had initially endorsed the concept during his chairmanship of the second Administrative Reforms Commission, has emphasized the need for a structured process to ensure unbiased recruitment of individuals with expertise into senior positions. He has criticized the current approach, which entrusts the job to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a body that primarily conducts exams for entry-level recruitment.
In a recent interview with NDTV, Mr. Moily highlighted the limitations of the UPSC in recruiting for senior posts such as Additional Secretary to the Government of India. He argued that a competent body, constituted under an Act of Parliament, should be responsible for such recruitments to ensure the selection of truly qualified individuals.
The debate over lateral entry recruitment has sparked a row between the opposition and the ruling BJP. The government’s decision to withdraw an advertisement for lateral entry into the civil services came after fierce protests from the opposition and doubts from an ally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for alignment with social justice in such recruitments.
Critics, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, have raised concerns about the impact of lateral entry on reservations in government jobs for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Mr. Moily, however, pointed out that lateral entry has been practiced in the past by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, emphasizing the need for cautious implementation at leadership levels.
In addition to concerns about social justice and reservations, Mr. Moily highlighted the importance of maintaining morale within the cadre by allowing internal applications for advertised posts. He also addressed the need to combat any mindset that undermines the competence and intelligence of candidates from marginalized communities.
As the debate over lateral entry recruitment continues to unfold, it is clear that there are complex issues at play. The future of recruitment into the civil services will likely be shaped by a balance between the need for expertise and the imperative of upholding principles of social justice and inclusivity. New Delhi, as the political epicenter of India, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this debate.