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Context:

The government introduced the lateral entry plan to recruit domain experts within civil service. However, political opposition and concerns about its impact on reservation rights led to the suspension of the scheme.

Lateral Entry Plan

In August 2024, the UPSC announced the lateral entry scheme by issuing a notification to recruit 45 Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries as specialists in government departments.

Due to widespread opposition, especially regarding the impact on reservation rights for OBCs, SCs, and STs, the government withdrew the notification.

Lateral Entry Scheme

It aimed to bring specialized knowledge and skills into the government by hiring professionals from outside of the traditional civil service.

The scheme's withdrawal highlighted the need for a more long-term, sustainable approach to developing domain expertise within the civil service.

Why need domain experts within the civil service?

Domain experts are in high demand in the civil service as government sectors become more specialized and require collaboration with technical experts. Civil servants are usually generalists, but their expertise in specific areas is critical for effective policy making, regulation, and service delivery.

The lateral entry scheme was a temporary solution, and long-term strategies are required to develop domain expertise within the civil service.

How can domain expertise be developed within the civil service in India?

Domain expertise in the civil service can be developed using an integrated model that encourages collaboration between academia, industry, and the civil service. The model aims to prepare civil servants to engage with emerging trends, technologies, and innovations.

The new approach requires strategic planning, the formation of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with academic institutions, a strict selection process, and specialized civil servant postings.

Strategic planning for establishing a long-term vision for developing domain expertise within the civil service involves estimating the number of sector-specific domain experts required and then allocating resources and priorities accordingly. The plan should also be flexible, adapting to changing circumstances.

Way Forward

Integrated models for developing domain expertise within the civil services to strengthen governance require collaboration with academia and industry, to assist civil servants in keeping up with the latest trends and technologies, which can lead to improved public service delivery.

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LATERAL ENTRY

Source:

The Hindu