Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (Aug 18) slammed the central government's move to bring specialists into top government positions through lateral entry. Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bypassing the traditional Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruitment process and undermining the Constitution.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (Aug 18) slammed the central government's move to bring specialists into top government positions through lateral entry. Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bypassing the traditional Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recruitment process and undermining the Constitution. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, also claimed that the Modi government was favouring individuals with connections to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the lateral entry system. Modi attacking the Constitution: Rahul Gandhi "Narendra Modi is attacking the Constitution by recruiting public servants through the 'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh' (RSS) instead of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). By recruiting for important positions in various central government ministries through lateral entry, the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC categories is being openly undermined," Gandhi said. "Reservation for SC, ST, and OBC categories is being openly snatched away by recruiting through lateral entry on important posts in various ministries of the central government," he wrote in Hindi on X. He added, "I have always said that there is no representation of the underprivileged in the top bureaucracy and other senior positions in the country. Instead of improving this representation, lateral entry is pushing them further away from these top positions." "This is a direct assault on the rights of talented youth preparing for the UPSC and a blow to the concept of social justice and reservation for the underprivileged," he said. Also read: Why is SEBI’s credibility at an all-time low after latest Hindenburg report? Gandhi also pointed to SEBI as an example, citing the appointment of Madhabi Puri Buch from the private sector as chairperson. "The glaring example of what corporate representatives might do in decisive government positions is SEBI, where for the first time, a person from the private sector was appointed as the Chairperson," he said. Anti-national step "This anti-national step, which harms both the administrative structure and social justice, will be strongly opposed by the INDIA bloc. 'Privatization of IAS' is Modi's 'guarantee' to end reservation," he added. Also read: Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Supreme Court of India takes suo motu cognisance, hearing on Aug 20 Gandhi's statement came after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced 45 vacancies on Saturday, 10 for joint secretaries and 35 for directors/deputy secretaries, to be filled through lateral entry on a contract basis. An official described this as the largest round of lateral recruitment undertaken by the central government. Traditionally, these positions are filled by officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). However, the government, through the UPSC, is now filling these roles on a contractual basis, arguing that this will bring in fresh talent and specialised expertise to enhance governance. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi for ‘anti-constitutional’ UPSC lateral entry

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a new recruitment drive to fill 45 key positions, including joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across 24 ministries in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.&nbsp;

The recruitment, set to be conducted through lateral entry on a contract or deputation basis, has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition leaders who accuse the government of bypassing reservation policies.

The advertisement, issued on Saturday (August 17), seeks to fill 10 joint secretary positions and 35 director and deputy secretary positions by September 17.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;India: 3 UPSC aspirants dead as coaching centre’s basement gets flooded in Delhi

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Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge voiced strong opposition to the recruitment process and accusing the BJP-led government of undermining the Constitution and launching a "double attack on reservation."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge alleged that the BJP was deliberately conducting such recruitments to exclude SC, ST, and OBC categories from reservation benefits. He also referred to the recent High Court decision that exposed a reservation "scam" in the appointment of 69,000 assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/upsc-chairperson-manoj-soni-resigns-amid-puja-khedkar-controversy-742575">UPSC Chairperson Manoj Soni resigns amid Puja Khedkar controversy</a>

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy CM&nbsp;Tejashwi Yadav also slammed the government's move as a "cruel joke" on the country's reservation system and constitution. Yadav argued that if these 45 posts were filled through the traditional civil services examination, nearly half would be reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.&nbsp;

The government has invited applications from "talented and motivated Indian nationals" interested in contributing to nation-building. The positions are open to State/UT officers and employees of public sector undertakings. Those from the private sector will be appointed on a contract basis, while other applicants will be posted on deputation. The appointment period is three years, extendable to five years based on performance.&nbsp;

Applicants for joint secretary positions must have at least 15 years of experience in the relevant domain and be between 40 and 55 years old. Candidates for director and deputy secretary posts should be between 35-45 and 32-40 years old, respectively.

The lateral recruitment process for joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries in the Central government was first introduced in 2018. According to a Lok Sabha reply dated July 24, 2024, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry so far, with 35 candidates coming from the private sector. Currently, 57 of these employees remain in their respective ministries and departments.

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a new recruitment drive to fill 45 key positions, including joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across 24 ministries in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a new recruitment drive to fill 45 key positions, including joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across 24 ministries in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The recruitment, set to be conducted through lateral entry on a contract or deputation basis, has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition leaders who accuse the government of bypassing reservation policies. The advertisement, issued on Saturday (August 17), seeks to fill 10 joint secretary positions and 35 director and deputy secretary positions by September 17. Also watch | India: 3 UPSC aspirants dead as coaching centre’s basement gets flooded in Delhi × Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge voiced strong opposition to the recruitment process and accusing the BJP-led government of undermining the Constitution and launching a "double attack on reservation." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge alleged that the BJP was deliberately conducting such recruitments to exclude SC, ST, and OBC categories from reservation benefits. He also referred to the recent High Court decision that exposed a reservation "scam" in the appointment of 69,000 assistant teachers in Uttar Pradesh. Also read | UPSC Chairperson Manoj Soni resigns amid Puja Khedkar controversy Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also slammed the government's move as a "cruel joke" on the country's reservation system and constitution. Yadav argued that if these 45 posts were filled through the traditional civil services examination, nearly half would be reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. The government has invited applications from "talented and motivated Indian nationals" interested in contributing to nation-building. The positions are open to State/UT officers and employees of public sector undertakings. Those from the private sector will be appointed on a contract basis, while other applicants will be posted on deputation. The appointment period is three years, extendable to five years based on performance. Applicants for joint secretary positions must have at least 15 years of experience in the relevant domain and be between 40 and 55 years old. Candidates for director and deputy secretary posts should be between 35-45 and 32-40 years old, respectively. The lateral recruitment process for joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries in the Central government was first introduced in 2018. According to a Lok Sabha reply dated July 24, 2024, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry so far, with 35 candidates coming from the private sector. Currently, 57 of these employees remain in their respective ministries and departments.

Indian opposition parties denounce UPSC lateral entry drive as 'scam, cruel joke'

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Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi for ‘anti-constitutional’ UPSC lateral entry

Indian opposition parties denounce UPSC lateral entry drive as 'scam, cruel joke'