NEW DELHI: The UPSC has announced 45 mid-level openings across various ministries, marking the largest lateral entry initiative since 2019. The roles include director, joint secretary, and deputy secretary positions. However, this move has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who contend it undermines reservation opportunities for marginalized communities.
NEW DELHI: In its most significant lateral entry exercise since 2019, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited applications for 45 mid-level positions, including director, joint secretary, and deputy secretary roles across various ministries and departments. This move reflects the government’s ongoing effort to bring in more specialists. Over the past five years, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry, with 57 such officers currently in position, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on August 8.
Applications have been invited for 10 joint secretary positions, including two each in the Finance and MeitY (Electronics and IT) Ministries, and one each in the Environment, Steel, Shipping, Science and Technology, Renewable Energy, and Home Ministries.
In line with the demand for specialized expertise, MeitY is seeking candidates for joint secretary roles focused on ‘Emerging Technologies’ and ‘Semiconductor and Electronics’.
The Finance Ministry is seeking two joint secretaries, specifically for roles in FinTech, cybersecurity, and investment. According to the notification, applications must be submitted by September 17. The positions are initially on a three-year contract, with the possibility of extension to five years based on performance. The vacancies in the Shipping and Environment Ministries have been advertised as the terms of two officers previously appointed through lateral entry are set to expire.
The new notification has sparked strong opposition protests, with critics accusing the government of systematically eroding the reservation system that protects opportunities for marginalized communities and their “rightful” place in governance.
The UPSC notification invites applications for 35 director and deputy secretary positions across various ministries. These roles include appointments in the Agriculture Ministry for climate change and soil conservation, credit, natural and organic farming, and water management. Other positions focus on commodity pricing in the Consumer Affairs Department, insolvency and bankruptcy in the Corporate Affairs Ministry, and two in the Education Ministry dedicated to education laws and technology, among others.
Candidates applying for the joint secretary positions must have at least 15 years of experience and be between 40 and 55 years of age, with a gross monthly salary of approximately Rs 2.7 lakh. For the roles of director and deputy secretary, applicants need a minimum of 10 and 7 years of experience, respectively. Directors should be aged 35 to 45, while deputy secretaries must be between 32 and 40 years old.
