Lateral Entry Policy Not Suspended, Says Minister Jitendra Singh; Reservation Issue Still Under Review
Nearly ten months after the Centre withdrew a major recruitment drive for lateral entry posts in various ministries, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh clarified on Wednesday that the lateral entry policy remains active and has not been scrapped.
He emphasised that the government is “open to discussions” on incorporating reservation provisions in future recruitment cycles.
Addressing a press conference marking 11 years of the Modi government, Singh reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to tapping external talent through lateral entry, a policy introduced to bring domain expertise into key government roles.
“We have not suspended the policy. It was initiated with a noble intention and only possible under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, who enabled such a transformative step in governance,” Singh said.
The clarification follows the government’s August 2024 decision to cancel the recruitment of 45 lateral entry posts advertised by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The withdrawal came after concerns were raised, including by NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), over the absence of reservation provisions for marginalised communities.
On August 20, 2024, just three days after the initial announcement, Singh formally wrote to the UPSC seeking withdrawal of the advertisement.
The UPSC complied the same day. Until that point, the government had maintained that the reservation did not apply to lateral entry posts, as they were “single-cadre” positions.
In the letter, Singh had underscored the government’s dedication to social justice:
“It is important that the constitutional mandate for social justice be upheld, ensuring rightful representation for deserving candidates from marginalised communities. The Prime Minister strongly believes that lateral entry must also align with the principles of equity enshrined in our Constitution.”
Debate Over Reservation in Single-Cadre Posts
Responding to media questions on whether a reservation could be applied to such roles, Singh said,
“Appointments for single posts don’t typically follow reservation rules—this is true globally. If we rotate categories each year, we may have to compromise the selection process or delay appointments for years.”
He further stated that the government remains open to dialogue and is exploring possibilities to balance professional competence with constitutional values.
Process Through UPSC to Ensure Transparency
Singh highlighted the Centre’s efforts to institutionalise the lateral entry process by involving the UPSC, thereby ensuring objectivity and transparency.
“Unlike previous governments that lacked a structured system for such appointments, we routed it through the UPSC to bring in fairness and accountability,” he said.
DoPT Secretary: Policy Still Under Consideration
Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), confirmed that the matter is under “active discussion and consideration.”
“While reservation guidelines are not typically applied to single posts, we’re giving the matter a fresh thought in light of recent feedback,” she said.
Both Shah and Singh stressed that while the recruitment drive was paused to consider broader social implications, the policy itself is far from abandoned.
“We are not closing the door. We are open to constructive suggestions and exploring ways forward,” Singh concluded.
