The system of making IAS without exam is in discussion again, which countries already have lateral entry?

Once again, the system of making ‘IAS without examination’ i.e. lateral entry process is being discussed a lot. In fact, many opposition parties including Congress are opposing 45 appointments being made through lateral entry. After the opposition’s protest, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has retaliated and said that the idea of ​​​​lateral entry (direct recruitment) came during the UPA era. The UPA government itself had taken forward the concept of lateral entry. Do you know that this system is also outside India? In such a situation, let us know what this system is and in which countries there is a lateral entry system…

If we talk about the lateral system, then through UPSC lateral entry, candidates are directly appointed to those posts on which IAS rank officers are posted. That is, in this system, candidates are directly appointed to the posts of Deputy Secretary i.e. Joint Secretary and Director/Deputy Secretary in various ministries, departments and organizations. In this, experts from different sectors from the private sector are given jobs on these posts in the government. In this system, UPSC does not participate in the Civil Services Examination and experts from the private sector are appointed to these posts through interview without any exam.

Apart from India, there are many countries that support the appointment of officers through lateral entry. The countries famous for civil service management have direct and lateral entry system, which include countries like Australia, USA and UK. Apart from these, this system is also implemented in countries like France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Spain.

For example, in America, officers are appointed to many posts through lateral entry and here lateral entry is a permanent part of the system. Entry to many posts in America is done through this and different experts apply for the vacant posts. Recently, the US Department of State announced a new lateral entry pilot program. This time this scheme has been started for mid-career professionals, in which appointment of officers for mid-level foreign service has been talked about. There is talk of recruitment of grade FP-03 and FP-02 officers through this. Appointments in the Federal Civil Service are also done through lateral entry.

Apart from this, Canada also has a lateral entry program and there is a provision for direct entry in some courses in education. If we talk about the UK, SCS is possible through lateral entry in their system too, but at present their number is very less and it is necessary that the candidate taking lateral entry should have very good experience in the private sector. By the way, the system of civil services in UK and India is almost the same.

Lateral entry system is quite common in America and even there recruitments are made in defence through this. Defence experts from other countries are also selected in this. Like India’s UPSC, there is Australia Public Service Commission through which recruitment is also done through lateral entry. Similarly, it has been included in the system in many countries.

Many experts also count the benefits of lateral entry and explain how it strengthens the system. Experts say that the lateral entry system brings both experts and experience into government services. This is expected to improve functioning and also brings in new thinking and perspectives.

Along with this, efficiency and transparency increases in bureaucracy. When selected through interview, special people are selected among the experts and they have a long experience in that field, which is very beneficial in making policies. Also, lateral entry leads to quick appointment of officers and speeds up administrative work.

Let us tell you that this time applications have been invited for 45 posts. Earlier in 2019, 8 Joint Secretary posts were appointed. After this, 30 officers (3 Joint Secretaries, 27 Directors) were selected in 2022. At the same time, recruitment was recommended for 37 posts in 2023, which also included 20 officers (Joint Secretary, Director and Deputy Secretary). According to reports, in the last five years, 63 appointments have been made at these levels through lateral entry and currently 57 such officers are posted.