Union Minister Chirag Paswan has aligned with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in opposing the government’s lateral entry policy into UPSC administrative services. Paswan, the first BJP-led NDA party member to voice dissent, criticized the policy for lacking reservation provisions.
Paswan argued that the absence of reservation neglects backward classes and vowed to raise this issue with the central government. “Reservation must be a part of any government appointment,” Paswan emphasized. “There are no ifs and buts. If the private sector lacks reservation, the public sector must not follow suit.” He expressed concern over the policy, stating he will address it in his official capacity.
In contrast, the recent UPSC notification outlines that qualified and motivated Indian citizens can apply for lateral recruitment to senior administrative posts, including Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, across 24 ministries. A total of 45 positions are open for recruitment through this process.
Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the lateral entry system, alleging it allows the Modi government to place officers loyal to the RSS in key positions, bypassing traditional UPSC procedures. Gandhi further accused the government of undermining protections for SC, ST, and OBC communities. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these concerns, labeling the policy a deliberate move to exclude backward class individuals from government jobs.