NEW DELHI: Niti Aayog recently asked its team of young professionals (YPs) to do something a little different from crunching data and writing briefs. They were asked to write blogs and articles in an effort to place their experience in the public domain and generate some media buzz around work at the premier thinktank.

In line with its role as incubator and laboratory for new ideas, the Aayog has been the first organisation in the government to scale up lateral entry at junior levels by hiring YPs as also other younger consultants who have all added a zing to the antiseptic corridors of the erstwhile statist Planning Commission.

The experiment seems to be delivering results, with experts and professionals from non-government areas such as the private sector, civil society and public policy graduates filling gaps as well as supplementing the career-based bureaucracy where specialisation can create silos. Experiments at bringing in outsiders haven't always worked but YPs seem set to stay, gaining valuable points for their CVs while delivering benefits to the thinktank. Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, who has been backing the entry of YPs, said, "Young professionals have made Niti Aayog a more dynamic institution."

Sanjana Manaktala, who holds an MSc degree in sustainability, development and peace from United Nations University, Tokyo, said, "It's very satisfying as we are able to initiate discussion on a new policy."

Arushi Malhotra, who holds a Master's in Development from Sciences Po, Paris, is working on sector reviews and outcome budget. "It is a massive learning. We get to know about the nitty-gritty of government functioning," she said.

Astha Dang, a Delhi School of Economics and IIM-Lucknow product, managed the entire drafting process for India's Voluntary National Review for Sustainable Development Goals.

With consultants getting a seat at meetings chaired by PM Modi, new recruits have a sense of involvement. "In a recent interaction, the PM sat through more than six hours of discussions. It was quite impressive," said a consultant. The YPs also worked on the reform of the Medical Council of India, University Grants Commission and All India Council for Technical Education.

After the successful experiment at Niti Aayog, lateral hiring has become a norm in the government. Several ministries like railways and roads are also inducting YPs to supplement the work of career bureaucrats. Lateral hirings are not confined to the junior level, but professionals have joined at the middle-level as officers on special duty or policy specialists. "We are getting an opportunity to work on big projects and at the highest level. We are bringing in outsider's perspective and new ideas," said Urvashi Prasad, policy specialist at the Aayog.

Punit Shukla, an IIM-Lucknow graduate who is working in the CEO's office, said, "The experience has been of immense learning and exposure. In the last year, I have worked extensively on digital payments."

