Anudeep Durishetty, Kanishak Kataria, and Ramya CS are a handful of the many names that left their high-paying private sector profession to join the central services and became the ‘sarkari babu’. The Government of Bharat, when floated the speculations of lateral entry in the Union Public Service Commission, that is, direct recruitment based on experience and a proven record instead of merit-based examinations, faced severe flak from nearly all sections. Civil services, or any ‘sarkari naukri’, is a prestigious opportunity, or so the public assumes.
Labour economist Kunal Mangal states that the “value of a government job in India far exceeds the nominal wage, indicating that amenities comprise a large share of total compensation“.
Meaning of lateral entry
The government, or UPSC on its own, can roll out advertisements for direct appointments in civil services. The current process involves an year-long schedule of Prelims, an objective-type qualifying paper, followed by Mains, a subjective stage comprising nine papers, finished with an Interview, with the last two deciding the merit list.
Why ‘sarkari naukri’?
Dowry: Many of the civil servants come from a not-so-affluent background and make up for their unfavorable past with a handsome dowry, which, despite being criminalized, is offered generously. In June, 2023, IAS Sandeep Jha faced charges of dowry harassment and domestic violence. Jha is a 2014 batch officer from Telangana cadre.
Status Symbol: Being a clerk in a government office is considered a safer option than having a startup. It stems from the latest non-adventurous attitude of Indian society. The prime needs of a household—a home, a car, and basic respect—are fulfilled by a government job within a few months. Even sportspeople who, after bagging a medal or two, are given a government position seem to disappear from the athletic field. Passion is swiftly erased by security. In a recent written reply to the Lok Sabha, the Union Government stated that only 7.22 lakh out of 22.05 crore applicants were recommended for appointment to its various departments in the past eight years
Backhanded money: The basic cost to the company is not as lucrative, hence the option of resorting to corruption comes in handy. Pooja Khedkar is a prime example.
Nepotism: The government pays for schooling, travel, health, furniture, and more or less every need and luxury. Close speculation will tell one that many of the OBC Non-Cream Layer card holders and EWS status holders actually belong to comfortable families. Such certificates are readily available when your father or uncle is an officer.
Beyond the white collar
It takes 3-5 years to prepare for the exam and crack it. Every year, 5–10 lakhs appear. Adding it up yearly, the figures that come out are troublesome. Such huge populations compete for 700–1000 seats, taking only UPSC Civil Services, let alone Railways, RBI, DSSB, DDA, and many more. Not very long ago, the suicide case of an aspirant and the death of many due to the negligence of a coaching institute were ablaze.
Operational Demands: What common eyes fail to see is that civil service is a 24*7 job. One might have to submit to unpaid work obligations, stay overnight in remote locations, filial distance, constant shifting of school hampers children from forming a long-term bond, weekend marriages, and much more. Refer-
Political Hand: Once fallen out of favor, transfers, inquiries, the media’s manipulation of character, and even assassinations are very common. Champa Biswas, wife of an IAS, was raped over years, had to undergo sterilization, and still lost her legal battle. Refer: https://mail.satyaagrah.com/india/india-politics/3871-champabiswas
Hypocrisy of thought
Government hospitals are frowned upon, and private schools are a rich man’s thing. Equations shift quickly in the case of a private job. Seeking job security in a government job out of political backing that changes every 5 years is nothing but a laughing stock. Finding solace in constant travelling and no place to call home, considering dilapidated colonial homes a status mark while overlooking the private sector marked by instant hire and fire, peculiar discipline and strict timelines, no paper leak, and handsome pay that knows no bound, is peak hypocrisy.
Sure, the private sector has its own issues—poor work culture, politics, and mental stress—but even a peon faces the same. Every profession is a rat race today, not owing to its nature but due to population and a secured approach to growth.
The government has asked the Commission to roll back its advertisements. In the long run, when times are favorable, lateral entry will definitely be lucrative. While examinations are a proper way to select the finest bureaucrats for smooth administration in the nation, inducing foreign competition will boost competition and reduce the hero-worshipping of ‘babus’.
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