Lateral entry into civil services is seen as a reformative step, yet it continues to attract criticism and controversy. Discuss.

Arup Suverdranath committee and Burnett committee have recommended lateral entry into civil services as a necessary reform. Lateral entry as a reform: 1) Bringing domain experts into the civil services (eg Wharton Nitelkani for NITI) 2) Qmon professionals outside the UPSC civil services examination recruitment process 3) Complexity of governance becoming difficult for generalist bureaucrats 4) Rising importance of think tank in policy making (eg government relying on big 4 for consulting)

Advantages of lateral entry: 1) Brings specialized domain knowledge onto first source 2) Reduce experience in consulting agencies (eg Indian engineers reported at present above hand 1500 consultants from big 4 are employed - 3) Bringing innovation in policy working (eg ideas of PPP model 4) Cross work culture benefits (+corporate creating efficient public handle delivery government accountability & transparency. Criticism and controversy around lateral entry: 1) Resistance from strong civil service lobby in Thrive settly 2) Function on efference in work culture