“Centre Requests UPSC to Withdraw Lateral Entry Advertisement, Plans to Review Process for Including Quotas”

DoPT Minister Jitendra Singh requested that UPSC Chairperson Priti Sudan withdraw the advertisements and cancel the recruitment plans.

Introduction of Lateral Recruitment Advertisements

Two days after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced advertisements for lateral recruitment into government service for 45 posts at the levels of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, the government decided to cancel these recruitment plans. The primary reason cited for this decision was the absence of quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Cancellation Notification

Later in the day, the UPSC issued a notification cancelling the previously advertised recruitments, citing a request from “the requisitioning authority.” This move followed a letter from Dr. Jitendra Singh, Serve for the Division of Personnel and Training (DoPT), to UPSC Chairperson Priti Sudan., to UPSC Chairperson Priti Sudan. In his letter dated August 20, 2024, Dr. Singh requested that the advertisements be withdrawn and the recruitment plans cancelled. He emphasized the need for a review of the recruitment norms from outside the government to ensure they align with equity and social justice principles.

Opposition and NDA Ally Reactions

The decision to cancel the recruitments came amid protests from the Opposition and criticism from NDA ally, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). The LJP had labeled the absence of quotas for SCs and STs in government recruitment as “unacceptable.” Dr. Singh’s letter referenced the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), established under the UPA government in 2005, and the Sixth Pay Commission (2013), which had advocated for lateral entry into government roles. He pointed out that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, such entries must be consistent with social justice principles.

Modi Government’s Stance on Lateral Recruitment**

Dr. Singh highlighted that the Modi government aims to make the lateral entry process more transparent, contrasting with the ad-hoc approach of the previous UPA government. He criticized past practices where significant posts, such as Secretary positions and leadership roles in organizations likeUIADI, were filled by lateral entrants without reservations. Dr. Singh also criticized the National Advisory Council (NAC) for its influential role in the Prime Minister’s Office, implying that it ran a super bureaucracy without adherence to reservation policies.

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Commitment to Social Justice

According to Dr. Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi immovably accepts that horizontal passage into government roles must follow to the standards of equity and social justice cherished in the Indian Constitution, especially concerning reservations. particularly concerning reservations. The letter underscored that the advertisements lacked provisions for reservations, necessitating a review and reform of the recruitment process.

Political Implications

The reversal on lateral recruitment reflects not only the backlash from the Opposition and NDA allies but also lessons learned from the BJP’s recent electoral experiences. The Opposition’s campaign during the Lok Sabha polls, which suggested that the BJP aimed to alter the Constitution and reservations in government jobs fundamentally, impacted BJP’s support in key states like Uttar Pradesh. Acknowledging this, the government’s quick turnaround aims to prevent further erosion of support from the SC/ST communities and address any emerging campaigns against it

Ministerial Statements

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who had previously defended the lateral recruitment advertisements, stated that the DoPT’s decision to cancel them demonstrated Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to supporting SCs, STs, and OBCs. Similarly, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the government’s decision to review the lateral entry process and apply reservation principles as a reflection of Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to the Constitution crafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar.