The recent controversy surrounding lateral entry into the Indian civil services has sparked a debate on the need for specialized expertise versus the adherence to reservation policies. Retired IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and former CEO of Microfinance Institutions Network Harsh Shrivastava discuss the pros and cons of lateral entry, its potential impact on the civil service, and the implications of bypassing reservation norms.
Following strong opposition from the INDIA bloc, the Indian government has withdrawn its advertisement for lateral entry recruitment of joint-secretary-level officers and other key positions in the Central Government. The decision comes after concerns were raised about the potential undermining of reservation policies.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP government of undermining the Constitution with its lateral entry policy, claiming it will disadvantage Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis. He alleges that the policy, which allows recruitment of experienced professionals into government positions, is a ploy to dismantle the reservation system and is part of a larger plan to dismantle the Constitution. The BJP has countered these claims, arguing that lateral entry is a transparent process and that the Congress itself implemented similar policies during its time in power.
The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy regarding lateral entry into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The party highlighted that the UPA government under Manmohan Singh had introduced the concept of lateral entry in 2005, even recommending recruitment of experts through this method. The BJP further clarified that the current government’s lateral entry system adheres to established guidelines and reservation policies.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the recruitment of 45 specialists for joint secretary, director, and deputy secretary positions in various central ministries. This move, implemented through the lateral entry mode, aims to bring fresh talent and expertise to the Indian government.
Aspirants registered for the Telangana State Engineering Common Entrance Test (TS ECET) 2024 can now download their admit cards from the official website of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE):. The entrance exam, scheduled for Monday, May 6, 2024, is open to Diploma holders and B.Sc. Mathematics degree holders seeking lateral entry into B.E./B.Tech./B.Pharm courses. The exam will be conducted in a single shift from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
