Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Govt Finalizing New Lateral-Entry Recruitment Rules
The Indian government is working on new rules for hiring experts directly into senior government jobs, called lateral entry.
They had to stop the old plan because people were worried about fairness in hiring.
Now, they are making a better plan that will include rules about who can apply, how they will be chosen, and how to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
While they finish the new rules, they are temporarily hiring people from state governments to fill some jobs.
The government believes this is important because it helps bring in new skills and knowledge that regular government employees might not have.
They are not giving up on this idea; they are just making it better.
The DoPT and Cabinet Secretariat are finalizing a new, structured recruitment framework for lateral-entry recruitment.
The previous notification was withdrawn due to controversies over reservation and caste-matrix issues.
The new rules aim to clarify eligibility norms, selection pathways, and reservation modalities.
In the interim, the government is using deputation of state officers for Joint Secretary-level positions.
The government views lateral entry as a necessity to bring in specialized domain expertise and complement the civil services.
- Who
- The Modi government, specifically the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Cabinet Secretariat
- What
- Finalizing a new, more structured recruitment framework for lateral-entry recruitment
- When
- Expected to be communicated to the UPSC soon, with a revised communication early next year
- Where
- India
- Why
- To clarify eligibility norms, selection pathways, and reservation modalities, and to institutionalize the process
- Department Involved
- Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Cabinet Secretariat
- Expected Communication
- To be communicated to the UPSC soon
- Key Changes
- Clarification on eligibility norms, selection pathways, and reservation modalities
- Current Process
- Interim deputation of state officers for Joint Secretary-level positions
- Government Stance
- Lateral entry policy not abandoned, seen as a complement to civil services
- Expected Timeline
- Revised communication expected early next year
- Initial Lateral Entry
- Introduced in 2018 as contractual appointments outside traditional reservation system
- Government's View
- Lateral entry seen as a necessity for specialized domain expertise