Lateral entry: 89 of 6,077 shortlisted for 10 Joint Secy posts

New Delhi, February 18                                                                                                      

Only 89 of the 6,000-odd private sector specialists, who had applied for 10 posts of Joint Secretary in Central government departments, have been short-listed, officials said on Monday.

The Personnel Ministry had in June last year called for applications for the joint secretary-rank posts through the “lateral entry” mode. The deadline to apply for the posts was July 30. A total of 6,077 applications were received in response to the government’s advertisement.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which has been tasked with selecting the candidates for these posts, had asked all aspirants to fill a detailed application form (DAF) to obtain additional specific information from the candidates regarding qualifications and experience so as to facilitate the selection process.

Of the 6,077 candidates who had initially applied for the post, 3,768 (38 per cent less) filled the DAF, the officials said. Further scrutiny was done for the 3,768 candidates and only 89 of them have been short-listed.  “Nearly 98.54 per cent of the 6,077 candidates, who had initially applied for the posts, were rejected,” a senior Personnel Ministry official said.

Of these 89 candidates, 14 each are for the posts of joint secretary in agriculture cooperation and farmers welfare, and shipping, 13 for aviation, 10 for the department of financial services, nine each for the departments of revenue and new and renewable energy, eight for road transport and highways, seven for environment, forest and climate change, three for department of economic affairs and two for the commerce department, he said. “Now these short-listed candidates are likely to be called for interview,” the official said. 

The lateral entry mode, which relates to the appointment of private specialists in government organisations, is considered as an ambitious step of the Modi government to bring in fresh talent in bureaucracy. — PTI