Issue of lateral entry into civil services has always been a knotty one

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) report of 2005 highlights concerns about lateral entry into senior government positions, noting potential risks to constitutional mandates on reservations and the socio-cultural diversity of India's civil service. The report acknowledges the advantages of attracting top talent from both public and private sectors but warns of possible adverse effects, including conflicts of interest, impact on affirmative action, and operational challenges.