Lateral Entry: Union Government appoints eight private sector experts as joint secretaries in various ministries and departments

For a first time, eight private sector experts recommended by UPSC have been appointed as Joint Secretary in the various ministries and departments.

“In response to the advertisement published by the Department of Personnel and Training for Lateral Recruitment to 10 posts of Joint Secretary in the Government of India, a total of 6077 applications were received. After scrutiny, 65 candidates were shortlisted and called for interview by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A total of 64 candidates were interviewed, of which 09(nine) candidates were recommended for appointment to Joint Secretary level posts on contract basis under Lateral Recruitment,” the Union Minister of State Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question today.

“ The recruitment process for selection of a candidate to Joint Secretary level post in the Department of Revenue became infructuous. Thereafter, upon acceptance of the terms and conditions of appointment, eight out of the nine candidates recommended by UPSC have been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministries/Department of Civil Aviation, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Financial Services, New and Renewable Energy, Road Transport and Highways and Shipping. One candidate has not accepted the offer appointment,” Dr Jitendra Singh added.

Under the lateral entry mode, experts are appointed from the private sector in government organisations on contract basis for a period of three years.