The Union government is reviewing proposals for lateral entry into senior civil service positions, following directions from the Prime Minister’s Office. The move aims to bring private-sector and academic experts into middle and higher administrative roles to address shortages and improve efficiency. The proposal has triggered debate due to concerns over transparency, reservations, and administrative impact.

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•  Lateral entry enables experts from private sector, academia to join senior government posts.
•  PMO asked DoPT to frame proposal for induction at deputy secretary to joint secretary levels.
•  Push linked to slow bureaucracy, wide officer shortages, inefficiency in ministries.
•  Baswan Committee flagged deficit of 1,400 IAS and 900 IPS officers nationally.
•  Supporters claim it boosts innovation, breaks complacency, brings domain knowledge.
•  Critics warn of weak field exposure, conflict of interest, reservation bypass risks.
•  Global models show mix of career-based and position-based systems with limited lateral hiring.
•  Reform panels suggest transparent selection and a Civil Services Authority for oversight.
•  Government withdrew UPSC’s August 2024 lateral recruitment notice after political criticism.
• Experts suggest using lateral entry only for mission-mode, specialised projects with clear rules.