The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has today issued an advertisement for 45 positions at the levels of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across various ministries and departments through its lateral entry scheme. This initiative, which seeks to recruit professionals from the private sector on a contractual basis, was first introduced by the Narendra Modi government in 2018.
The scheme was launched with the intent of infusing fresh talent and private sector expertise into the government machinery. While the program has been lauded by some for its innovative approach, it has also faced significant criticism and skepticism from various quarters.
The lateral entry scheme’s first significant batch was appointed on August 31, 2019, when nine private sector executives were selected for the post of Joint Secretary in various government departments. Despite the initial excitement, the program’s effectiveness has been questioned, with several of the first batch leaving their positions early. Notably, Kakoli Ghosh, an IIT, IIM, and Oxford alumna, resigned before even assuming her role in the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare. Additionally, Arun Goel (JS, Commerce) resigned in December 2020, and Amber Dubey (JS, Civil Aviation) left after completing his three-year contract on September 17, 2022.
The recent departure of Saurabh Mishra (JS, Department of Financial Services) on April 30, 2023, despite being granted a two-year extension, further highlights the challenges of the lateral entry experiment. Mishra was one of six lateral entrants who received extensions in August 2022. Currently, five lateral entrants from the initial batch continue to serve, namely Rajeev Saksena (Department of Economic Affairs), Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), Suman Prasad Singh (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways), and Bhushan Kumar (Ministry of Shipping).
The decision to advertise 45 new positions under the lateral entry scheme has once again sparked a debate. Proponents of the scheme argue that it brings in much-needed expertise and innovation from the private sector, while critics caution against potential mismatches in the work culture and the risk of high turnover.
As the government pushes forward with the latest tranche of lateral entries, the mixed reactions from various sections underscore the ongoing tension between the aspirations for a more efficient government and the realities of implementing such a transformative approach.
