Government Cancels Lateral Recruitment over Reservation Concerns

On 20th August, 2024, the Indian government cancelled its recent plan for lateral recruitment into 45 high-level government positions, following concerns over the lack of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Key Points:

Cancellation of Recruitment: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) was directed to withdraw advertisements for lateral recruitment to posts such as Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, after concerns were raised regarding the absence of reservation quotas for SCs and STs.
Political Backlash: The move follows protests from opposition parties and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally, which declared that government entry without quotas for SCs and STs was unacceptable.
Government's Stance on Social Justice: Law Minister reiterated that the decision reflects Prime Ministers’ commitment to standing with marginalized communities and upholding the constitutional framework established by Babasaheb Ambedkar.