Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
UPSSSC Junior Assistant Admit Card 2025 Fastag Annual Pass 2025 UGC NET Exam Analysis 2025 UGC NET Question Paper 2025 AP LAWCET Result 2025 UGC NET City Slip 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 Rajasthan PTET Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Interview Date 2024 UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025 Indian Navy MR Result 2025 Indian Navy SSR Result 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Lateral Entry in UPSC Civil Services

Lateral Entry in UPSC Civil Services: Direct recruitment for experts.

Last Updated on Jun 06, 2025
Also Read Lateral Entry in UPSC Civil Services in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Lateral entry in UPSC or into the Indian Civil Services enables professionals from diverse fields to join government roles without going through the traditional UPSC Civil Services Exam. Experts from the private, public, and academic sectors end up in top positions as Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary. Staff are either chosen on contract for 3–5 years or seconded from the public sector when needed. It introduces new thoughts into the way governments work, mainly in finance, economics, health, and technology. Improving how things are done, there are concerns about fairness, biased decisions, and the restrictions placed by policies. UPSC takes care of lateral recruitment, although this process has some difficulties. In August 2024, it published ads for 45 posts, though opposition to reservation rights made it withdraw a few.

Lateral entry in UPSC

Purpose

Allows professionals from private sector, academia, and other fields to join senior government positions without the UPSC exam.

Eligibility

Candidates aged 40-55 years, with a bachelor’s degree (higher qualifications preferred) and 15+ years of experience in relevant fields.

Selection Process

Involves application screening, followed by an interview or assessment conducted by UPSC.

Reservation Policy

Lateral entry positions are exempt from reservation, as they are considered "single posts.

Current Status (2025)

UPSC withdrew 45 senior posts in August 2024 due to reservation debates, but lateral entry recruitment continues.
- pehlivanlokantalari.com
📚 Exclusive Free UPSC Notes Created by Our Experts
Subjects PDF Link
Download Free Ancient History Notes PDF Created by UPSC Experts Download Link
Grab the Free Economy Notes PDF used by UPSC Aspirants Download Link
Get your hands on the most trusted Free UPSC Environmental Notes PDF Download Link
Exclusive Free Indian Geography PDF crafted by top mentors Download Link
UPSC Toppers’ trusted notes, Now FREE for you. Download the Polity Notes PDF today! Download Link
Thousands of UPSC aspirants are already using our FREE UPSC notes. Get World Geography Notes PDF Here Download Link

What is Lateral Entry in UPSC?

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Evolution of Lateral Entry in India

The need for specialized expertise in governance has shaped the evolution of lateral entry in UPSC India.

  • When the nation sought help, post-independence, economists and scientists served in top positions to strengthen the country. The Planning Commission (1950) appointed non-bureaucrats to help direct economic policies.
  • In the 1990s, officials realized that experts with specific qualifications were required. Experts in economics, such as Manmohan Singh, strongly supported reforms.
  • Lateral entry in UPSC, later in the 2000s, governments started adopting formal procedures for putting experienced IT and infrastructure experts into government positions. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government placed special emphasis on hiring skilled people.
  • Under the leadership of Modi, applications for lateral entry to senior government jobs were invited for the very first time (starting in 2018).
  • During this period, UPSC removed 45 senior positions because of opposition to reservation, even though the process had been supported.
Lateral Entry in UPSC

Lateral Entry in UPSC Eligibility Criteria

Lateral entry in UPSC, Candidates must have at least 15 years of experience at equivalent levels in private sector businesses, excluding those in central public sector undertakings, autonomous agencies, academic bodies, or universities.
Applicants must be 40 years or older and hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or institute.

Merit vs Spoils System in Lateral Entry in Civil Services

The Merit System ensures recruitment based on qualifications and expertise, while the Spoils System allows political appointments, influencing lateral entry in civil service or Lateral entry in UPSC

Advantages of the Lateral Entry System
  • There are only 442 IAS officers at the Centre, not enough for the official requirement of 1,469 (according to the 2023-24 DoPT report). According to the Baswan Committee in 2016, lateral entry could help deal with this problem.
  • Lateral entry in UPSC, candidates from the private sector compete for higher posts, which boosts the government’s administrative efficiency (NITI Aayog).
  • Specialists in economics, finance, robotics, AI, and cryptocurrency have experience and insights that help improve policymaking.
  • Collaborating with Businesspersons: Ministries such as civil aviation, environment, and climate change gain advice from private professionals.

Challenges of Lateral Entry
  • Short-Term Focus: Appointments of 3 to 5 years risk promoting short-term goals over long-term policy vision.
  • Reservation Policy Concerns: Since recruitment bypasses India’s reservation policy, it raises concerns over social justice and equity.
  • Potential Conflict of Interest: Private sector recruits may influence government decisions for profit, leading to “revolving door” governance, seen in the U.S.
  • Accountability Challenges: Holding short-tenured private-sector appointees accountable is difficult.
  • Lack of Grassroots Experience: Bureaucratic roles require diverse expertise, including an understanding of local governance dynamics.
  • Political Interference: Selection processes may face nepotism and favoritism, impacting merit-based hiring.
  • Two-Tier Entry System: Former RBI Governor D. Subbarao proposed initial IAS entry at 25-30 years and later entry at 37-42 years via lateral entry, ensuring mid-level recruitment of experts.

Download the keynotes of Lateral Entry in UPSC or Civil Services

How Lateral Entry Bypasses Reservation Policies?

Lateral entry in UPSC, reservation in public sector jobs, and universities follow the 13-point roster system, under which reservation is not applied if vacancies are fewer than three.

For the 2025 UPSC lateral entry recruitment, 45 positions were advertised. If considered as a single group, six positions would be reserved for SC candidates, three for ST candidates, 12 for OBC candidates, and four for EWS candidates, according to the 13-point roster.

However, Lateral entry in UPSC, since these vacancies were advertised separately across departments, each is considered a single post, effectively excluding them from the reservation policies. In single-post cadres, reservation is not applicable, as ruled by the Supreme Court in Akhilesh Kumar Singh Vs Ram Dawan & Others (2015), where 100% reservation for a single post was deemed unconstitutional, violating Article 16(1) and 16(4) of Indian Constitution.

ARC Recommendations on the Lateral Entry Scheme

First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) (1966)

Lateral entry in UPSC, planned by Morarji Desai, the institute was introduced to raise and improve the training of civil servants. Although the report did not directly promote lateral entry, it made clear that the government needs experts in their fields.

Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) (2005)

Lateral entry in UPSC, and to achieve better efficiency, more openness in administration, and higher engagement with the public, the 10th Report encouraged the appointment of people with experience from other fields to senior posts in the government. It suggested that the government hire experts from private businesses, universities, and state agencies for limited appointments, with merit considered and civil service honesty preserved.

Ensuring Social Justice Through Fixed-Tenure Recruitment

In Lateral entry in UPSC, currently, SC/ST officers make up only 4% and 4.9% of top bureaucratic positions (Joint Secretaries, Directors, Deputy Secretaries). A fixed tenure system has been proposed to ensure equal career progression for all civil servants, regardless of entry age.

Fixed Tenure System Proposal

All civil servants (Unreserved, SC, ST, OBC) would have a 35-year fixed tenure, ensuring equal opportunities and shifting focus from entry age to merit. The current age-based system limits SC/ST and PwBD candidates from reaching top positions due to late entry and early retirement.

Arguments in Favor of ARC Recommendations

  • Improved Representation: Helps SC/ST and OBC officers attain senior positions, ensuring better inclusion.
  • Merit-Based Career Growth: Prioritizing competence over age ensures fair advancement.
  • Social Justice: Strengthens inclusivity within bureaucracy.
  • Feasibility: In Lateral entry in UPSC, extended tenures align with rising life expectancy and can include fitness-based evaluations.

Arguments Against ARC Recommendations

  • Since service may increase, age requirements at retirement for officers may have to be lowered.
  • Traditionally, schools have used seniority-based pay while still facing disapproval from some groups.
  • Concern over Fixed Tenure: Promotions based on merit may be disrupted, making people discuss issues regarding age, quantity of experience, and performance as administrators.

Arguments in Favor of Lateral Entry in Civil Services
  • Specialized Expertise: Lateral entry in UPSC or civil service enables the recruitment of professionals with skills in technology, management, and finance, addressing gaps that generalist civil servants may lack as governance complexities increase.
  • Encouraging Innovation and Reforms: Professionals from the private sector, NGOs, and other organizations bring valuable experiences that can improve administrative efficiency and modernize governance.
  • Bridging Workforce Shortages: The Department of Personnel and Training estimates a shortage of around 1,500 IAS officers, which lateral entry can help mitigate.
  • Changing Work Culture: Introducing external professionals fosters efficiency, reducing red tape, bureaucratic rigidity, and status quo biases in government operations.
  • Enhancing Participatory Governance: Governance today involves multiple stakeholders, and lateral entry allows private sector professionals and non-profits to contribute meaningfully to policymaking.

Criticisms of Lateral Entry in Civil Services
  • Short Tenure: Joint secretaries appointed through lateral entry serve for three years, often insufficient for fully adapting to governance structures and making lasting contributions.
  • Challenges in Objectivity and Neutrality: Recruits from diverse backgrounds may face conflicts of interest, especially if they have ties to private entities or lobbying groups.
  • Morale Issues for Permanent Officers: A growing number of lateral entrants may create division between them and career bureaucrats, affecting internal dynamics and morale.
  • Potential Dilution of Merit-Based Selection: If transparency is not maintained, lateral hiring could undermine the merit-based recruitment system, leading to perceptions of favoritism.
  • Resistance from Traditional Bureaucrats: In Lateral entry in UPSC or civil services, there are some career officials who may view lateral recruits as outsiders, leading to hierarchical tensions and reluctance to cooperate.
  • Experience Barriers for Senior Positions: IAS officers reach the joint secretary rank after 17 years of service (around age 45) and remain there for a decade. Similar requirements for lateral entrants may deter high-level private professionals, as they often peak in their careers by that age.

Way Forward

  • A Public Administration University helps bring together talented people and leads to improved skills in governance.
  • Lateral entry in civil services, sending IAS & IPS officials to private companies, brings in new insights and motivates fierce competition.
  • Ministries should aim for specific results and timings to improve the way they manage the country.
  • Mission Karmayogi and programs like it are designed to provide mid-career learning to officers and match their skills to new administrative jobs.
  • For best results, civil servants ought to develop a broad understanding of their sector first and, later on, specialize in one of their interests.
  • Giving officers academic gaps encourages them to improve their skills in their areas of responsibility.

Conclusion

Lateral entry in UPSC or in other sectors, choosing lateral entry comes with perks, but one must thoroughly prepare by defining who is allowed into the organization, what they will do, how many of them are needed , and how to train them best. In addition, updating the old seniority system is necessary to boost overall growth in administration and improve bureaucratic efficiency. 

More Articles for IAS Preparation

FAQs Lateral Entry in UPSC

No, lateral entry positions are single-post vacancies, meaning they are exempt from reservation policies as per Supreme Court rulings.

It brings domain experts into governance, reduces bureaucratic inefficiencies, and introduces fresh perspectives to policymaking.

Lateral entry allows professionals from the private sector, academia, and public enterprises to join mid-level and senior government positions without taking the UPSC exam.

It was introduced to address officer shortages, bring in specialized expertise, and enhance efficiency and innovation in governance.

Candidates must be 40-55 years old, hold a graduate degree, and have at least 15 years of experience in relevant fields like finance, infrastructure, and technology.

The UPSC oversees recruitment, which includes application screening followed by an interview or assessment to evaluate expertise and suitability.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice