Threat to Merit-Based Selection: The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest, with a rigorous selection process. Lateral entrants, selected through resumes and interviews, bypass this stringent process, potentially undermining the merit-based system. Lateral entry could lead to a spoils system where political loyalties, cronyism, and corruption may influence appointments.

Connection Between Policymaking and Implementation: Policymaking and implementation are closely linked. Without experience in implementation, lateral entrants may create policies that are impractical or disconnected from on-the-ground realities.

Pakistan’s Experience: Citing Pakistan’s administrative reforms under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, lateral entry led to the appointment of party loyalists and later military personnel, resulting in a dysfunctional civil service.

Impact on Promotion Prospects: Lateral entry affects the promotion prospects of existing career bureaucrats, as these positions are carved out of the existing posts in the hierarchy.

Reservation Issues: There is a concern that reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, and EWS may not be applied to lateral entry posts. The UPSC has treated these posts as subject-specific standalone positions, thereby exempting them from reservation policies. The government has acknowledged this issue, and the Minister for Personnel has requested a re-examination of the matter, suggesting that reservations should be considered for these positions.