Lateral entry into top govt posts is the way forward

Appointment to these posts should be opened to competition, irrespective of department or seniority

Many well-meaning politically elected leaders (especially chief ministers) who want to do good work for citizens are stuck. They have a limited talent pool of appointed officials. This pool is full of silos — IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRSE, IRTS, State Civil Service and many others. Seniority concerns prevent more efficient appointed officials attaining greater responsibilities earlier in their career. The top slots usually have officials with short tenures, most of them wise, some otherwise.

Effective state capacity is largely dependent on leadership, both elected and appointed, at all three levels — city, state and union. How could India@75 improve