The Union government has virtually ruled out the much-talked-about “lateral” entry of professionals or doctorate-holders in international relations directly into the elite Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
The Union government has virtually ruled out the much-talked-about “lateral” entry of professionals or doctorate-holders in international relations directly into the elite Indian Foreign Service (IFS) without clearing the UPSC exam, saying that there is no such proposal. There had been intense speculation last year on the matter after some media reports suggested that the government could strongly consider the matter in the wake of shortfall of adequate personnel in the IFS.
“There is no proposal to allow the entry of professionals and those with graduate and doctoral degrees in the fields of international and external affairs into the Indian Foreign Service laterally, without the UPSC exam,” minister of state in the MEA Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd) informed the Lok Sabha recently. “Professionals and experts are currently hired in the ministry as consultants. The number of consultants engaged in the MEA varies depending on requirement,” he added.
“The total sanctioned strength of the IFS is 912. The total strength of MEA personnel at headquarters and missions abroad is 4,054. Vacancies arising at various levels in the ministry are filled by direct recruitment and promotions from feeder cadres. The MEA also takes officials from other departments/ministries on deputation,” the minister said.
There had been reports earlier of discontent among some of the direct recruits to the IFS who were said to have been peeved at the entry of personnel from feeder cadres who get promoted into the IFS at a later stage and are allotted a certain batch.
The discontent was reported apparently because some of the direct IFS recruits felt that the entry of persons promoted into the IFS at a later stage would affect the chances of the direct recruits in matters of promotion.
Some of the former service chiefs and distinguished persons from other walks of life were nevertheless appointed as envoys in the past few decades.
