New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- A total of 43 officers are currently posted in different ministries and departments of the Central government through lateral entry, Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions, told the Parliament on Thursday.

He was responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha by MP Ramji Lal Suman, who sought details on the recruitment of officers through lateral entry in the past five years and whether they were appointed through reservation.

The minister replied, "So far, 63 appointments have been made at the level of joint secretary/director/deputy secretary on a contract/deputation basis into various government departments through lateral entry since 2018 in three cycles - 20...