The Government of India has signalled its resolve to reform the appointment system for individual consultants, which major departments such as Economic Affairs, as well as NITI Aayog, use extensively.

Concerned departments select consultants (including young professionals and interns) by determining their own systems. These positions are not part of what has been termed the lateral entry system, and the appointments are not made through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Usually, the consultants are appointed for a period of up to two years, and their terms can be extended up to a total period of five years, though some have managed to stay longer. The government probably wants to streamline the system of selection, extension and maximum peri

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