Modi Government's Fresh Drive For Lateral Entry: 25 Private Sector Specialists To Fill Crucial Roles In Central Bureaucracy

The Narendra Modi government is set to bolster its ranks with 25 private sector specialists stepping into pivotal roles within the Centre. According to officials, the initiative aims to enhance governance efficiency.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Modi, has given its nod to the appointment of three joint secretaries and 22 directors/deputy secretaries across various central government departments.

These positions are typically filled by officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS) and other group A posts, among others.

The latest move aims to bring new perspectives and expertise into the government through 'lateral entry'.

The lateral entry scheme, launched in 2018, allows recruitment at the joint secretary, director, and deputy secretary levels, which play crucial roles in policy-making. These recruited specialists become part of the regular government system.

Under the lateral entry scheme, recruitments target posts requiring domain expertise, drawing candidates from the private sector, state government, autonomous bodies, and public sector undertakings.

This initiative underscores the government's approach towards leveraging diverse talents to address governance challenges and drive innovation in policy formulation and implementation.

The Personnel Ministry initiated the lateral entry scheme by inviting applications for 10 joint secretary-rank posts in June 2018. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) facilitated the recruitment process. In October 2021, the UPSC recommended 31 candidates for various positions, marking a significant step in the lateral entry programme.

To date, 38 private sector specialists, including 10 joint secretaries and 28 directors/deputy secretaries, have joined the government. Presently, 33 specialists, comprising eight joint secretaries, 16 directors, and nine deputy secretaries, are actively contributing to key government departments. Two joint secretaries having completed their three-year terms.

As lateral entry becomes more mainstream, it promises to reshape the landscape of central governance, ushering in fresh perspectives and approaches to administration.