UPSC Lateral Entry 2024: Meaning, Notification, Vacancy, Eligibility, Pros & Cons

Online applications to be invited from interested candidates for lateral entry to Joint Secretary and Director level officers and Deputy Secretary level officers. Selection of the candidates is done on the basis of their performance in an interview. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements and submit their applications in time will be called for the interview round. Candidates who are selected through lateral entry are recruited on contract basis for a period of 3 years that extendable up to 5 years. Let us know more about UPSC Lateral Entry 2024 regarding its meaning, vacancy, eligibility, etc here from this article.

Meaning of UPSC Lateral Entry

Through lateral entry mode, specialists and experts from private sectors are offered direct recruitment for the posts under different ministries. Lateral entry means that there are no selection test conducted and the recruitment of these specialist are done on the basis of their qualification, experience and proficiency in their work. An interview is however conducted by the Commission before selecting the candidates for direct entry. Other than private sector employees, officers of any State/ UT Government who are already working at equivalent level can also apply for lateral entry. Central Government employees are not eligible to apply for these posts.

Number of Vacancy in UPSC Lateral Entry 2024

Vacancy for Joint Secretary And Director Level Posts

The UPSC Lateral Entry 2024 will be carried out to fill vacancies for Joint Secretary And Director Level Posts under different Ministries with Headquarters at New Delhi. The details regarding the latest vacancy will be notified at the official website of UPSC.

Check UPSC syllabus

Go through the vacancy details for reference purpose only:

• Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – 1 Post
• Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – 1 Post
• Joint Secretary in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Agriculture Marketing), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – 1 Post
• Director (Aviation Management), Ministry of Civil Aviation – 1 Post
• Director (Agriculture Trade Specialties), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – 1 Post
• Director (Exports Marketing), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – 1 Post
• Director (Foreign Trade Analyst), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – 1 Post
• Director (Logistics), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Director (Logistics), Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – 1 Post
• Director (Warehouse Expertise), Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – 1 Post
• Director (Edu Tech), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education – 1 Post
• Director (Edu Laws), Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education – 1 Post
• Director (ICT Edu), Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education – 1 Post
• Director (Media Management), Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education – 1 Post
• Director (Banking), Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Cyber Security in Financial Sector), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Digital Economy and Fin Tech), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Financial Market), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Insurance), Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance – 1 Post
• Director (Maternal Health Issues), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare – 1 Post
• Director (Finance) NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare – 1 Post
• Director (Water Management), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti – 1 Post
• Director (Arbitration and Conciliation Laws), Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice – 1 Post
• Director (Cyber Laws), Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice – 1 Post
• Director (Finance Sector Laws), Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice – 1 Post
• Director (International Laws), Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice – 1 Post
• Director (Judicial Reforms), Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice – 1 Post
• Director (New Technology for Highway Development), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – 1 Post
• Director (Innovation in Education Entrepreneurship), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship – 1 Post

Check SSC syllabus

Vacancy for Deputy Secretary Level Posts

For Deputy Secretary Level Posts under different Ministries, the number of vacancies appearing are as follows:

• Deputy Secretary (Intellectual Property Rights) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016), Ministry of Corporate Affairs – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission), Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Environment Policy), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Food Processing), Ministry of Food Processing Industries – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Manufacturing Sector), Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Urban Water Management), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Mining Legislation and Policy), Ministry of Mines – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Sagarmala and PPP), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Electricity Distribution), Ministry of Power – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Rural Livelihood), Ministry of Rural Development – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Information Technologies), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation – 1 Post
• Deputy Secretary (Iron/ Steel Industry), Ministry of Steel – 1 Post

UPSC Lateral Entry 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for Joint Secretary And Director Level Posts

Educational qualification:

• Joint Secretary (Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare): Master’s Degree in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Micro Biology/ Agricultural Extension/ Agricultural Economics/ Agriculture Marketing/ Organic Farming/ Crop Science from a recognized University and at least fifteen years’ experience in relevant field.
• Joint Secretary (Department of Commerce): Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Economics/ Commerce/ Business Economics/ Foreign Trade from a recognized University, preferably with additional qualification in IT, Computer Science, Operational Research and Supply Chain management and at least fifteen years’ experience in relevant field.
• Joint Secretary (Department of Revenue): Master’s Degree in Economics/ Commerce/ Finance/ Business Administration/ Professional Qualification in Chartered Accountancy, ICWA and at least fifteen years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Agriculture Marketing (Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare): Master’s Degree in Agriculture with specialization in Agricultural Economics/ Agribusiness/ Agriculture Marketing from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Aviation Management: BE/ B.Tech or Bachelor’s Degree in Science from a recognized University and Master’s Degree in Business Administration and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Agriculture Trade Specialties (Department of Commerce): Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Agricultural Marketing/ Economics/ Foreign Trade/ Commerce/ Business Economics/ Quantitative Methods/ Statistics from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Exports Marketing (Department of Commerce): Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Economics/ Foreign Trade/ Commerce/ Business Economics/ Quantitative Methods/ Statistics from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Foreign Trade Analyst (Department of Commerce): Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Agricultural Marketing/ Economics/ Foreign Trade/ Commerce/ Business Economics/ Quantitative Methods/ Statistics from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Logistics (Department of Commerce): Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Agricultural Marketing/ Economics/ Foreign Trade/ Commerce/ Business Economics/ Operations Research/ Quantitative Methods/ Statistics from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Logistics (Department of Food and Public Distribution): BE/ B.Tech or Master’s Degree in Business Administration from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in logistics, especially movement of goods.
• Director Warehouse Expertise (Department of Food and Public Distribution): BE/ B.Tech or Master’s Degree in any subject from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Edu Tech (Department of Higher Education): Master’s Degree in Computer Application/ BE/ B.Tech in Computer Science from any recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Edu Laws (Department of School Education and Literacy): Bachelor Degree in Law from a recognized University and Registered in any State Bar Council/ Bar Council of India and at least ten years’ experience in the field of law, providing Legal Services in Educational Sector.
• Director ICT Edu (Department of School Education and Literacy): Master’s Degree in Computer Application or BE/ B.Tech from a recognized University in the field of Education Technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Computer science and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Media Management (Department of School Education and Literacy): Master’s Degree from a recognized University in the field of journalism, media, content writing, Business Administration in Media Management or minimum 2 year PG Diploma in above field and at least ten years’ experience in the field of media management/ content writing.
• Director Banking (Department of Financial Services): Master’s Degree from a recognized University in any Discipline and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Cyber Security in Financial Sector (Department of Economic Affairs): BE/ B.Tech in Computer Science/ Information Technology OR Master’s Degree in Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Computer Application from a recognized university and at least ten years’ experience in Cyber/ Information Security/ Project Management roles in Financial Sector.
• Director Digital Economy and Fin Tech (Department of Economic Affairs): BE/ B.Tech in Electrical/ Electronics/ Computer Science/ Mechanical or Master’s Degree in Computer Application from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Financial Market (Department of Economic Affairs): Master’s Degree in Economics/ Finance/ Business Administration from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in financial markets.
• Director Insurance (Department of Financial Services): Master’s Degree from a recognized University in any field and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Maternal Health Issues: Master’s Degree from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in supervisory roles in Govt. health schemes/ projects of health sector.
• Director Finance NACO: Master’s Degree in Commerce/ Economics/ Mathematics/ Business Administration from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Water Management (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation): Master’s Degree from a recognized University with specialization in any of the fields of water resources management, hydrology, water governance, environmental & climate policy and science and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Arbitration and Conciliation Laws (Department of Legal Affairs): Bachelor’s Degree in Law of a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in the field of Arbitration and Conciliation Laws.
• Director Cyber Laws (Department of Legal Affairs): Bachelor’s Degree in Law of a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in the field of Cyber Laws.
• Director Finance Sector Laws (Department of Legal Affairs): Bachelor’s Degree in Law of a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in the field of Finance Sector Laws.
• Director International Laws (Department of Legal Affairs): Bachelor’s Degree in Law of a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in the field of International Laws.
• Director Judicial Reforms (Department of Justice): Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Post Graduate Degree in Development Studies (Public Policy) from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director New Technology for Highway Development: BE/ B.Tech in Civil Engineering from any recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Director Innovation in Education Entrepreneurship: Master’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.

Check: UPSC calendar

Age limit:

• The minimum and maximum age limit for the Joint Secretary level post are 40 and 55 years.
• The minimum and maximum age limit for the Director level post are 35 and 45 years.

Eligibility for Deputy Secretary Level Posts

Educational qualification:

• Deputy Secretary (Intellectual Property Rights) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade: LLB with specialization in Intellectual Property Rights from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016): Charted Accountant (CA)/ Company Secretary (CS)/ Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)/ Bachelor of Law (LLB) /Masters’ in Business Administration from recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission), Department of School Education and Literacy: Master’s degree from a recognized University or and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Environment Policy): Master’s Degree or BE/ B.Tech from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Food Processing): BE/ B.Tech in Food Technology/ Food Engineering/ Agricultural Engineering/ Chemical Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology/ Dairying/ Fisheries/ Animal Husbandry from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Manufacturing Sector): BE/ B.Tech from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Urban Water Management): BE/ B.Tech in Civil/ Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Mining Legislation and Policy): BE/ B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering or Master’s Degree in Business Administration/ Economics from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Sagarmala and PPP): BE/ B.Tech or Master’s Degree in Commerce from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Electricity Distribution): BE/ B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Rural Livelihood): Master’s Degree from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Information Technologies): BE/ B.Tech in Computer Science/ Information Technology or Master’s in Computer Science/ Business Administration or Post Graduate Diploma in Management from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.
• Deputy Secretary (Iron/ Steel Industry): BE/ B.Tech from a recognized University and at least ten years’ experience in relevant field.

Age limit:

• The minimum and maximum age limit for the Deputy Secretary level post are 32 and 40 years.

Pros & Cons of UPSC Lateral Entry

Advantage of UPSC Lateral Entry

• Through lateral entry, professionals with ten to fifteen years of experience are recruited and thus the value of service enhances.
• With government and private employees working together, more transparency is brought to the system.
• The lateral entry scheme is also to minimize the shortage of officers working on deputation in the Centre.
• More professionalism can be brought into the government sector by employing people from the private sector.

Disadvantage of UPSC Lateral Entry

• Lateral entry from private sector might affect the motivation of employees working already in the government department.
• It will be difficult to create a parameter for comparing the performance of lateral entry private sector employees and government employees.
• Since the job is on contractual basis, employees coming from private sector may not feel very motivated toward their work.