Government Clarifies: No Reservations for Lateral Entry, Rajya Sabha Informed

Quick Summary:

• Ministry of Personnel clarified in the Rajya Sabha that 63 appointments made since 2018 in central government departments through lateral entry were exempt from reservation requirements.
• These appointments were for specific assignments requiring specialized knowlege and domain expertise,as per the Supreme Court judgment in the case ‘PGIMER,Chandigarh vs. Faculty Association and Ors.’
• Junior minister Jitendra Singh stated that category-wise data for the appointees was not maintained due to non-applicability of reservations for single-post cadres.
• Of the total 63 officers appointed over three cycles (2018,2021,and 2023),43 are currently serving across various ministries and departments.
• In August last year,UPSC canceled an advertisement for recruitment to lateral entry posts following a communication urging a review of reservation policies within this recruitment method.

!Rajya Sabha

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The government’s stance on lateral entry appointments highlights an administrative shift toward prioritizing domain-specific expertise over traditional reservation policies. While this approach is grounded legally through Supreme Court rulings on single-post cadres, it raises questions about balancing merit-focused recruitment against societal equity frameworks like reservations aimed at ensuring portrayal. Moreover, with only partial fulfillment of these positions (43 out of 63 appointees currently serving), evaluating their effectiveness remains crucial as India seeks innovative governance solutions through external experts. Continued discussions may help refine policies to align lateral hiring practices with broader socio-political goals.

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