Central Government to Fill 45 Mid-Level Positions Through Lateral Entry, UPSC Announces
New Delhi, 18th August 2024: In the most extensive recruitment drive since the introduction of lateral entry in 2019, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced openings for 45 mid-level positions, including directors, joint secretaries, and deputy secretaries across various ministries and departments. This move aims to bring more specialized professionals into government roles. Over the past five years, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry, with 57 such officers currently serving, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on August 8.
The latest recruitment drive includes 10 joint secretary positions, with two each in the finance and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) ministries. Additional positions are available in the environment, steel, shipping, science and technology, renewable energy, and home ministries.
To meet the demand for specialized expertise, MeitY has specifically sought candidates for joint secretary roles in ‘emerging technologies’ and ‘semiconductor and electronics.’ The finance ministry, meanwhile, is looking to fill joint secretary roles focused on FinTech, cybersecurity, and investment.
According to the official notification, applications must be submitted by September 17, with positions offered on a three-year contract basis, extendable up to five years based on performance. The vacancies in the shipping and environment ministries are due to the impending conclusion of the terms of officers previously hired through lateral entry.
In response to the announcement, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the move in a post on X (formerly Twitter), claiming, “The BJP, which has already undermined the Constitution, is now launching a double attack on reservation! Through a calculated strategy, the BJP is deliberately making such appointments to keep SC, ST, and OBC communities away from reserved jobs.”
