UPSC selects 31 private sector specialists as joint secretaries, directors, deputy secretaries

India's Union Public Service Commission has sent in a list of 31 candidates to the Department of Personnel and Training for positions in Central Ministries, including the Dept. of Commerce and the Dept. of Agriculture.

According to the DoP&T, the UPSC shortlisted 231 candidates, whittling down the final list to 31.

"The Department of Personnel & Training requested the Union Public Service Commission on 14.12.2020 and 12.02.2021 to select suitable persons to join the Government at the level of Joint Secretary/ Director/ Deputy Secretary in various Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India on Contract/Deputation basis," a press release said.


Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.

"As a major step to place the right talent for the right role, #DoPT announces 31 lateral entry recruitments, after due selection process by UPSC, as Joint Secretary/Director/Deputy Secretary in different ministries/departments of government of India," Singh tweeted.

After the UPSC lanched an online hunt, 295 applications for Joint Secretary Level Posts, 1247 applications for Director Level Posts and 489 applications for Deputy Secretary Level Posts came in.

Normally, the posts of joint secretary and director are manned by officers selected through the civil services examination and other tests conducted by the UPSC.

Niti Aayog - in its three-year action agenda - and the sectoral group of secretaries on governance - in its report submitted in February, 2017 - have recommended for induction of personnel in the middle and senior management level in the government with the twin objectives of bringing in fresh talent as well as augment the availability of manpower.