Beyond UPSC Civil Services Exam: Interview Schedule Out; Lateral Entry Candidates Vie For Joint Secretary Level Posts  

Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) has notified the interview schedule for the recruitment of professionals from the private sector to Joint Secretary level posts in ten Departments/Ministries of the central government on a contractual basis.

While the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance will interview five candidates on 1 April (2019), Department of Financial Services will interview four candidates on the same date. Ministry of Economic Affairs will also interview three candidates on 1 April (2019).

Following this, while Ministry of Commerce will interview two candidates, Environment Ministry will do the same for four candidates on 2 March (2019).

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will conduct its interview of four candidates on 3 April (2019). Ministry of Civil Aviation will conduct its interview for 13 people on 3 and 4 April (2019).

Ministry of New And Renewable Energy has called seven persons for the interview on 5 April (2019). Ministry of Shipping will conduct is interview for 13 candidates on 9 April (2019).

Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under the agriculture ministry will finish the process by interviewing ten applicants on 9 and 10 April (2019).

Lateral Entry

Last June (2018), the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions had announced filling a certain number of joint secretary posts through “lateral entry”, that is, from private sector instead of civil services. The move was touted as an attempt to bring diverse talent and expertise into the government.

Among around 6000 private sector specialists who had applied for the posts of joint secretary in the central government departments, 89 have been shortlisted.

Also Read: A Step For Better Governance – Lateral Entry In Civil Services