The UPSC on Tuesday cancelled its latest advertisement to fill key posts in government departments through lateral entry, amid a political row over the lack of a reservation provision for those positions.

The move came after Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh wrote to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairperson Preeti Sudan to cancel the advertisement, so that marginalised communities get their rightful representation in government services.

The commission had, on August 17, issued a notification for the recruitment of 45 posts -- 10 of joint secretaries and 35 of directors or deputy secretaries -- through lateral entry, which is referred to as the appointment of specialists (including those from the private sector) in government departments. It was one of the biggest tranches of lateral recruitment announced by the commission.

"It is for information of all concerned that the advertisement pertaining to lateral recruitment for 45 posts of the level of joint secretary/director/deputy secretary in different departments published in the Employment News, various newspapers and on the website of the Commission on 17th August, 2024 is cancelled as requested by the requisitioning authority," read a cancellation notice by the UPSC.

The decision had ignited criticism from the opposition parties, which claimed that it undermined the reservation rights of the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the head of BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), had also said the proposed recruitment was a "matter of concern" for him and that he would take up the matter with the Centre.

Official sources said the decision to cancel the advertisement was taken by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the government would now review the lateral-entry recruitment drive with reference to the applicability of reservation provisions in it.

At present, the sources said, there is no policy and provision for reservation for these specialised or single-cadre posts.

They said comments and concerns of all stakeholders would be taken into account by the government to find out whether or not reservation can be applied to lateral-entry recruitment.

"The Centre may review its reservation policy to ensure social justice in lateral-entry recruitment," a source said.

In the letter to the UPSC, Singh said for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reservation in public employment is a cornerstone of "our social justice framework", aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity.

"Since these positions have been treated as specialised and designated as single-cadre posts, there has been no provision for reservation in these appointments. This aspect needs to be reviewed and reformed in the context of the Hon'ble Prime Minister's focus on ensuring social justice," the minister said.

"Hence, I urge the UPSC to cancel the advertisement for lateral entry recruitment issued on 17.8.2024," he added.

Singh said the step would be a significant advance in the pursuit of social justice and empowerment.

"It is well known that, as a principle, lateral entry was endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission which was constituted in 2005, chaired by (senior Congress leader) Shri Veerappa Moily. The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in 2013 were also in the same direction," he said.

However, there have been many high-profile cases of lateral entrants before and after that, Singh pointed out.

Under earlier governments, posts as important as those of secretaries in various ministries, the leadership of the UIDAI etc. were given to lateral entrants without following any process of reservation, he said.

"Further, it is well known that the members of the infamous National Advisory Council used to run a super-bureaucracy that controlled the Prime Minister's Office," the minister added.

While most of the major lateral entries before 2014 were made in an ad-hoc manner, including cases of alleged favouritism, the efforts of "our government have been to make the process institutionally driven, transparent and open", he said.

Further, the prime minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice as enshrined in the Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation, Singh added.

Lateral recruitment in the central government has been undertaken since 2018 to appoint persons for specific assignments, keeping in view their specialised knowledge and expertise in the domain area.

The officers at these levels play an important role in policy-making.

So far, 63 appointments have been made through lateral entry, of which 35 were from the private sector. At present, 57 such officers are in positions in different ministries and departments, according to the latest data.