Lateral Entry Scheme: UPSC Invites Applications For 45 Joint Secretary, Director Level Posts In Various Ministries In Central Government

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced 45 openings for lateral entry at the joint secretary and director level posts at various ministries in the Central government, with the application deadline set for 17 September.

Traditionally, the roles of joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries are filled by officers from all-India services like the IAS, IPS, IFoS, and other Group A services.

However, this recruitment initiative of the government marks a departure from convention, as it embraces the lateral entry mode — introducing private sector specialists into government departments — to infuse fresh energy and perspectives.

Officers recruited through the lateral entry process become integral to the government system.

This scheme allows for recruitment into posts that need domain specialisations, pulling candidates from the private sector, state governments, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, and similar institutions.

In its notification, the UPSC has said that the following with a minimum of experience of fifteen years for Joint Secretary Level posts, experience of ten years for Director Level posts and experience of seven years for Deputy Secretary Level posts are eligible to apply:

1. Officers of any State/UT Government who are already working at equivalent level or are eligible for appointment to equivalent level in their cadre, with relevant experience.

2. Individuals working at comparable levels in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Organizations, Universities, Recognized Research Institutes.

3. Individuals working at comparable levels in Private Sector Companies, Consultancy Organisations, International/Multinational Organisations.

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