Centre urges UPSC to cancel lateral entry for 45 posts amid reservation row

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday asked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to withdraw its latest advertisement for lateral entry in bureaucracy, amid growing criticism over the reservation implications of the advertised posts. Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh wrote to UPSC Chairman Preeti Sudan, urging her to cancel the advertisement to ensure marginalized communities receive their rightful representation in government services.

The UPSC had issued a notification on August 17 for the recruitment of 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries through lateral entry, which includes specialists from the private sector. The decision faced backlash from opposition parties, including Congress, which argued that it undermined reservation rights for OBCs, SCs, and STs. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively, criticized the move, alleging it was an "attack" on the rights of Dalits, OBCs, and adivasis.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, mocked the Centre's handling of the situation on social media, calling it a "pathetic governance" move. He attributed the withdrawal of the advertisement to the pressure from opposition leaders. Congress MP Manickam Tagore described the development as a victory for the Constitution, highlighting a "weak Prime Minister" and a "strong People's Leader of the Opposition."

Singh’s letter emphasized that reservation in public employment is a "cornerstone of our social justice framework," and the lateral entry system, designed for specialized posts, lacked reservation provisions. He urged the UPSC to review and reform the process in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on social justice. The Centre's action reflects an effort to align with social justice principles and address criticisms from various political quarters.