India launches ‘lateral entry’ job scheme
Modi government invites applications for bureaucratic posts from public, private sector professionals
In its bid to attract talent from public and private sectors, the Narendra Modi government has invited applications for 10 posts of joint secretaries in different ministries under its “lateral entry” scheme.
As per the criteria fixed by the government, the applicant must be 40 years of age as on July 1 and a graduate of a recognised university or institute. Higher qualifications would be an added advantage, The Times of India reported yesterday.
The candidates will be appointed for three years and the government can also extend the contract to up to five years. To ensure that highly professional people apply for the job, the selected candidates will be offered a salary of Rs144,000 (Dh7,835) to Rs218,000 (Dh11,850) per month and would also get allowances and facilities as applicable to the equivalent level in the Central government, the newspaper reported. The post of the joint secretary — crucial to policy-making and implementation of government programmes — until now has been filled by career bureaucrats, who usually join the service after passing exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
The idea of lateral entry has been under discussion on and off for years, but this is the first time it has been acted upon. The government has said it is keen to bring in “fresh ideas and new approaches to governance”, news channel NDTV said.
The notification from the Department of Personnel Training says it is looking for 10 “outstanding individuals” who are willing to contribute towards nation building. Those eligible include “individuals working at comparable levels in private sector firms, consultancy organisations, international/multinational organisations with a minimum of 15 years’ experience”. The recruitments will be made in 10 departments — including revenue, financial services, economic affairs, commerce and civil aviation.
The recruitment will be done on contract basis for three to five years. The recruitments will be made in 10 departments — including Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Commerce and Civil Aviation.
Opening the doors of bureaucracy for private sector professionals, the government yesterday invited applications for 10 Joint Secretary level posts through lateral entry as opposed to the UPSC examinations.
The government said the proposal of lateral entry was aimed at bringing in “fresh ideas and new approaches” to governance and also to augment manpower.
“Government of India has decided to invite talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building to join the government at the level of Joint Secretary,” said a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.
Joint Secretaries are at a crucial level of senior management in the government and lead policymaking as well as implementation of various programmes and schemes of the department assigned to them. They report to the Secretary or the Additional Secretary in the respective ministries.
The joint secretary post is usually filled through the competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Contract basis
The government notification said that candidates having expertise in specific areas of revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, road transport and highways, shipping, environment and forests, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce can apply for the posts.
The recruitment will be done on contract basis for three to five years. The recruitments will be made in 10 departments — including Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Commerce and Civil Aviation.
The posts are also open to officials of any state/UT Government who are already working at equivalent level, and individuals working at comparable levels in public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, universities and research institutes.
While candidates from state governments and Central or state public sector undertakings will be appointed on deputation, the candidates from private sector will be appointed on contract basis, the notification said. The government’s announcement received mixed response on social media. While most hailed it as a welcome step that would bring in the much-needed field experts in governance, critics said the system can only work if the method of selection is impartial, objective and transparent
The NITI Aayog (policy commission) welcomed the move to initiate lateral entry in the bureaucracy with its CEO Amitabh Kant saying it was long overdue.
“NITI’s experience with lateral entry has been extremely good. They (candidates) bring in a vast number of fresh and vibrant ideas.
“This move in government was long overdue and I welcome it. (It) Will catalyse UPSC entrants to specialise. Government must also allow deputation of its officers to private sector as well,” Kant said in a tweet.
First time
The idea of lateral entry has been under discussion on and off for years, but this is the first time it has been acted upon. The government has said it is keen on it to bring in “fresh ideas and new approaches to governance”.