IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Discharged from Service Following UPSC and Delhi Police Actions

Puja Khedkar, a probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Maharashtra cadre, has been officially discharged from service by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The decision comes over a month after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annulled her candidature and the Delhi Police filed a criminal case against her.

According to a senior DoPT official, the Central government took the step on September 6 under Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954. This rule allows the government to discharge a probationary officer if found ineligible for recruitment or unsuitable to serve in the IAS. Khedkar, a member of the 2023 batch, was removed from her position with immediate effect.

The controversy surrounding Ms. Khedkar began when the UPSC, on July 31, found her guilty of violating the rules of the Civil Services Examination 2022, which led to the cancellation of her candidature.

Unlike serving IAS officers, who may be dismissed from service, probationary officers like Khedkar are discharged as part of their probationary terms.