Central Government Opens Lateral Entry For Bureaucrats; Ten Posts Of Joint Secretary Notified

In a move aimed to give effect to the recommendations made by the Niti Aayog among others, the centre government has decided to allow lateral entry for the positions of Joint Secretary in the bureaucracy.

On Sunday, major newspapers carried the advertisement given by the Department of Personnel and Training that ten positions are open for “lateral recruitment to senior positions in Government of India.”

The government is looking for ten “outstanding individuals” who have a minimum of 15 years experience in either public or private sector, and are of minimum 40 years age “as on July 1, 2018.”

The applicants will be selected in a transparent manner through online applications which can be submitted to http://Lateral.nic.in between June 15 and 05:00 PM IST on July 30, 2018.

The much talked and debated reform is here now. Lateral entry to government at Joint Secretary level. Hope this reform will usher an era of good policy formulations and without getting into the trap of spoil system. pic.twitter.com/WYKqC2H6iu

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) June 10, 2018

The positions on offer are on a contract basis for a period of three years, which may be extended to five years. The selected candidates will be given allowances and facilities as applicable to the post of JS, in addition to a salary in the range Rs 144200 – 218200 per month (Level 14 of the pay matrix).

Posts open for applications are:

1. Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue
2. Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce
3. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation
4. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping
5. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
6. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
7. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
8. Joint Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
9. Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
10. 10.Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services

After a review of the applications, the shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview with the selection committee. All selected candidates shall be deemed to be civil servants for the purpose of the CCS (conduct) rules and any other statute as and when notified by the government.

The roles and responsibilities of a JS are aligned with the policy-making and implementation of government schemes and programs. Till now, clearing UPSC and joining elite services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IPS was the only way one could become a Joint Secretary, after years of exemplary work record.

This move is being attributed to a shortage of senior civil servants. However, the critics are of the opinion that the lateral recruits will not be able to make any significant contributions and the move might increase corruption.

On the other hand, the number of seats in the UPSC civil service exam have been reduced by 40% in the last five years.

Last month, a proposal by PMO was sent to ministries regarding changing the procedure of cadre and service allocation process of UPSC. A move which was seen by many as undermining the constitutional body, UPSC, and as government interference.