Finance Ministry Tops Lateral Entry Appointments; 63 Inducted Across Departments Since 2018

Finance Ministry Tops Lateral Entry Appointments; 63 Inducted Since 2018

The Finance Ministry has recorded the highest number of lateral entry appointments among central government departments, with a total of 63 professionals inducted since the lateral recruitment initiative began in 2018. According to official data, these appointments span multiple ministries and departments, reflecting the Centre’s push to bring domain expertise from the private sector and academia into policymaking roles. The Finance Ministry has emerged as the leading department in terms of the number of lateral entrants, highlighting its expanding need for specialised skills in areas such as taxation, economic policy, financial services, and expenditure management.

Of these, five were recruited at the level of Joint Secretary and Director in the Department of Financial Services, four in the Department of Economic Affairs, and one in the Department of Revenue.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that a total of 63 appointments have been made since 2018 at the levels of Joint Secretary, Director and Deputy Secretary on a contract and deputation basis across various ministries and departments through the lateral entry route.

Lateral Entry Initiative

The lateral entry programme was introduced to infuse specialised knowledge and professional experience into senior government roles, particularly at the Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary levels. The initiative aims to supplement the traditional civil services structure by recruiting professionals with sector‑specific expertise. Since 2018, a total of 63 lateral entrants have been appointed across various ministries, with the Finance Ministry accounting for the largest share of these inductions.

Departmental Distribution

Other ministries and departments have also inducted professionals under the scheme, but the Finance Ministry’s prominence underscores the growing complexity of fiscal governance, economic reforms, and regulatory frameworks that require technical and analytical capabilities. The data was shared in response to queries regarding the progress of the lateral entry programme and its departmental distribution.

Policy Context

The lateral entry policy has been positioned as part of broader administrative reforms intended to enhance efficiency, innovation, and evidence‑based policymaking within the central government. Supporters argue that it strengthens institutional capacity by integrating diverse professional backgrounds, while critics have raised concerns about transparency and long‑term structural implications. As the initiative continues, the Finance Ministry’s leading position in lateral appointments reflects its central role in driving economic policy and managing public finances in an evolving governance landscape.