Face-Off: Karti Chidambaram Vs Jayant Chaudhary | Social Justice or Expertise in Indian Bureaucracy?

At the Adani_BTIndia@100 Summit, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram addressed the contentious issue of lateral entry into the Indian bureaucracy. He argued that while lateral entry brings valuable global expertise, it should not undermine India's social affirmative action programs, such as reservations. Chidambaram stressed the importance of maintaining these programs alongside new talent acquisition. On the other hand, Jayant Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State in the Education Department, contended that lateral entry has been a part of the Indian bureaucracy for decades. He emphasized the growing need for specialized skills in government roles and dismissed the idea that every decision should be viewed solely through the lens of social justice, advocating for a balanced approach that includes access to private sector expertise.