Why is there a Demand for Lateral Entry in Civil Services?

The need for institutional reform in the Indian civil services is not a new revelation. The services have often faced criticism for alleged corruption, mediocrity, stagnation, and inefficiency. A recent study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlighted the requirement for reforms in various aspects of the civil services. There is also a noticeable shortage of officers, especially at the middle levels. The Baswan Committee report revealed that large states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar lack 75 to 100 officers. Lateral entry is suggested as a solution to cover this deficit and circumvent the challenges of large-scale initial recruitment.

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Another popular belief is that lateral entry will bring professionals with extensive private sector experience into the system. This could rejuvenate the system with a fresh perspective and energy. It could also bring in individuals with specialized knowledge and expertise. It's often said that civil servants are generalists with no specific domain expertise. This is partly because of the diverse nature of their jobs, but the truth is, there are several sectors that require officers with specific domain knowledge. The career progression of a career civil servant doesn't allow much scope for developing specialized knowledge. Frequent transfers to different places and departments contribute to this issue. Thus, lateral entry can help bridge this gap of individuals with domain expertise.

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The Resistance to the Idea

However, the government's initiative to introduce lateral entry is likely to face resistance, particularly from the current civil servants. Even though the government has often recruited private sector individuals to lead committees and projects, such a move into the mid-levels of the bureaucracy could disrupt the existing balance of officers. It could also demotivate current officers who have worked hard to enter the services after passing the challenging UPSC civil services exam . Critics of lateral entry argue that it's not the individual but the enabling environment that can bring out the best in him/her. They argue that even successful private-sector professionals may struggle in an environment plagued with bureaucracy and political interference. So, the solution lies in reforming the system from within before seeking solutions outside. They also suggest that this move may discourage people from applying for civil services due to a perceived decrease in promotional opportunities.

The Way Forward

There is no denying that the civil service, which forms the backbone of Indian administration, requires reforms. The country's progress and development hinge on this. Even if lateral entry is introduced, it must follow a strictly defined procedure to prevent nepotism and further corruption. Many developed countries like the UK and Australia have adopted lateral entry to meet their needs. The need of the hour is to implement internal reforms to enhance systemic efficiency, and also establish a defined structure to allow the lateral entry of professionals into the civil services.

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