Challenges Related to Lateral Entry Scheme | 30 Jan 2025

For Prelims: Lateral Entry Scheme (LES), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), NITI Aayog, Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 

For Mains: Issue of Lateral Entry into Bureaucracy, its implication and Way Forward. 

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

 The Lateral Entry Scheme (LES), enabling private sector professionals to join senior bureaucracy on contract, faces legal and political dispute.  

  • Since 2019, 63 appointments have been made, but concerns over the lack of a statutory framework and reservations for marginalized communities persist. 

 Note: The legal dispute began in February 2020 when IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi challenged the Lateral Entry Scheme before the Nainital Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT), citing lack of legal sanctity and procedural rigour. 

What are the Challenges Related to Lateral Entry Scheme? 

  • Constitutional Validity: It challenged for conflicting with Article 309 of the Constitution which grants the authority to the appropriate legislature (Parliament, State legislatures) to enact laws regulating the recruitment and conditions of service for public servants 
    • Also, excluding reservation in recruitment undermines social justice and constitutional mandates. 
  • Short Tenure: The 3-year tenure for lateral entrants is seen as too short for effective governance adaptation and accountability. 
  • Doctrine of Pleasure and Bulk Recruitment: The government justifies LES under Article 310 , allowing the President to appoint specialists. Critics argue it's not meant for large-scale recruitment of senior, non-permanent roles.  
    • While citing an officer shortage, the necessity is questioned, given 18 empanelled officers per vacancy. 
  • Conflict of Interest: Concerns include potential biases from private-sector professionals influencing government policies and the lack of rigorous vetting, such as background checks and vigilance clearances. 
  • Bureaucratic Morale Concerns: The rise in lateral entrants may negatively affect the morale of career bureaucrats. They may resist lateral entrants, viewing them as outsiders and potentially fostering hostility due to concerns about hierarchy and disruption. 

What are the Key Facts Related to Lateral Entry Scheme (LES)? 

  • About: A LES, launched in 2018 is a recruitment process that allows private sector professionals to be directly hired into mid-level or senior government positions, bypassing the usual competitive exams. 
  • Reservation Provision: Lateral entry positions are exempt from the reservation system as these roles are considered "single posts," meaning quotas for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories do not apply. 
  • Recruitment: Since 2018, 63 lateral entrants have been appointed, with 57 serving as of August 2023.  
    • In August 2024, UPSC withdrew recruitment for 45 senior posts under LES due to opposition over reservation rights. 

 Evolution_Of_Lateral_Entry_Scheme

What are the Advantages of Lateral Entry in Civil Services? 

  • Specialized Expertise: Lateral entry enables the recruitment of specialists in fields like technology, management, and finance, addressing knowledge gaps that generalist civil servants may not fill. 
  • Addressing Shortages: With a deficit of around 1500 IAS officers, lateral entry can help alleviate this shortage and ensure the smooth functioning of government departments. 
  • Improving Work Culture: Lateral entrants can help break the bureaucratic inertia, fostering a shift away from red-tapism and towards more dynamic, results-oriented governance. 
  • Inclusive Governance: Lateral entry facilitates greater involvement of stakeholders, including the private sector and non-profits, enhancing participatory governance and multi-actor collaboration. 

Way Forward 

  • Dual Entry System: Former RBI Governor D. Subbarao suggested a dual-entry system with traditional recruitment for the 25-30 age group and mid-career lateral entry for the 37-42 age group to bring in domain experts. 
    • Relax age limits for joint secretary positions to attract younger, dynamic talent. 
  • Training for Lateral Entrants: Establish a dedicated administrative university to provide comprehensive training for lateral entrants to ease their transition from the private sector to government roles. 
  • Private Sector Exposure: Allowing IAS and IPS officers to gain experience in the private sector can enhance competition, innovation, and sectoral expertise in governance. 
Drishti Mains Question 
What is the Lateral Entry Scheme of the Government into Civil Services? What are its merits and demerits and its implications?  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year’s Question (PYQs)  

Q. “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in the Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (2020)