Ashok Vardhan Shetty

Ashok Vardhan Shetty, a retired IAS officer and former vice-chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, discusses the pressing need for specialized expertise in civil services. He critiques the current selection process for lateral entry, arguing for a balance between experienced generalists and skilled outsiders. The conversation delves into the challenges of ensuring social justice within recruitment while addressing political favoritism and cronyism. Shetty emphasizes that a robust evaluation mechanism is crucial to enhance governance effectiveness and protect the integrity of public service.