Benefits of Lateral Entry: IAS Officer’s Perspective

Benefits of Lateral Entry: IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal’s Perspective

In the ongoing debate about lateral entry into top government positions, IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal has expressed disappointment over the recent rollback of the lateral entry advertisement. She emphasized that lateral entry serves as a “healthy dose of competition” by bringing in experts and specialists into government roles, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the bureaucracy.

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Last week, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) sought applications for 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries, marking the largest batch of lateral entry into the Indian bureaucracy. However, the advertisement was cancelled following backlash, particularly from opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and some NDA allies, who criticized the lack of reservations in these appointments.

Sabharwal, who is known for being the youngest woman IAS officer to crack the UPSC exams, suggested that career bureaucrats should have the opportunity to specialize in specific domains by their 10th year of service. She also recommended advanced in-service training to equip them for roles in sectors like health, education, and urban development.

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Moreover, Sabharwal proposed a performance-based evaluation system, where underperforming bureaucrats could be retired after 15 years and replaced by more capable individuals. She stressed that lateral entry could serve as a complement to career bureaucrats, pushing them to improve their performance rather than taking it for granted.

In a tweet, Sabharwal expressed her disappointment with the government’s decision to cancel the advertisement for lateral entry. She argued that the initiative was an ideal way to introduce competition from domain experts, which is essential for improving governance and public service delivery.

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The now-cancelled lateral entry advertisement aimed to appoint specialists, including those from the private sector, to key roles in central government departments. However, Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement, citing the need to align lateral entry with the principles of equity and social justice, particularly concerning reservations.

Singh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views reservations in public employment as a cornerstone of the social justice framework, which is crucial for addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity. The UPSC’s announcement led to a political uproar, with even NDA allies like Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) joining the opposition in criticizing the move.

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