Government Halts Lateral Entry Recruitment Amid Reservation Controversy

The Centre has asked the UPSC to withdraw its recent advertisement for lateral entry in bureaucracy, following concerns over reservation rights. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized that representation of marginalized communities is crucial for social justice, prompting the call to cancel the recruitment drive for specialists including private sector professionals.

The Centre has called on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to retract its latest advertisement for lateral entry positions in bureaucracy, amidst a feud over reservation policies in the advertised roles.

Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh penned a letter to UPSC Chairman Preeti Sudan, imploring her to revoke the advertisement to ensure marginalized communities receive adequate representation in government services.

On August 17, the UPSC had announced a notification for recruiting 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries through lateral entry, including specialists from the private sector. This move drew criticism from opposition parties, who argued it compromised the reservation rights of OBCs, SCs, and STs.