• Lateral entry refers to the appointment of private sector professionals, academic experts, and individuals from other fields into high-ranking administrative roles in the Indian government.
• This is done to bring in fresh talent, specialized skills, and expertise into the civil services, especially for positions traditionally filled through promotions of career bureaucrats.

• The lateral entry scheme was introduced to address the need for domain expertise in key policy areas where the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers may not have specialized knowledge.
• It aims to infuse new perspectives, improve decision-making, and bring professional skills from sectors like economics, education, public health, finance, and technology into the governance framework.

Lateral entry candidates are generally appointed to posts equivalent to the rank of Joint Secretary, Director, or Deputy Secretary in various ministries and departments. These posts require individuals with specialized skills to manage complex policies and programs.

Eligibility criteria vary depending on the position, but generally, candidates must:

• Be professionals with at least 15 years of experience in the relevant field.
• Hold a position of seniority in the private sector, academia, public sector, or international organizations.
• Be within a specified age limit, often between 40-55 years.

The selection process for lateral entry typically involves:

• Submission of an application through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or other recruitment agencies.
• Shortlisting of eligible candidates based on qualifications and experience.
• Interview and assessment of candidates by an expert panel to evaluate their suitability for the role.