Recent years me lateral entry – private sector experts ko directly higher government posts pe lana – pe kaafi discussion hua hai. Supporters kehte hain ki new skills, fresh thinking aur professional expertise system me aaye. Opponents fear patronage, bypass of UPSC style merit, and morale issues among career bureaucrats.
Legally, government ko recruitment policy design karne ka wide power hota hai, but equality and transparency ka basic framework follow karna padta hai. Open advertising, clear criteria, selection boards, and objective evaluation yahan critical hote hain.
Existing officers bhi kabhi-kabhi challenge karte hain ki lateral posts unke promotion channel ko block kar rahe hain. Courts check karte hain:
- Policy arbitrary to nahi,
- Backdoor appointments toh nahi,
- Legitimate expectation of career progress completely destroy toh nahi ho raha.
Agar sahi design ho, to lateral entry public interest serve kar sakta hai. Agar sirf “apne log” ko top posts pe lane ka tool ban jaye, to legal aur political backlash dono guaranteed hai.
