UPSC Moves to Cancel IAS Selection of Puja Khedkar Over Identity Fraud

UPSC Moves to Cancel IAS Selection of Puja Khedkar Over Identity Fraud

In a significant crackdown on malpractice within India’s civil services recruitment, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has initiated proceedings to cancel the selection of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The 23-year-old is under investigation for allegedly fabricating her identity and misrepresenting her qualifications, including lying about visual and mental disabilities to gain undue advantages in the Civil Services Examination. A notification released by the UPSC on Friday details that Khedkar “fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit,” prompting the commission to take a series of actions against her.

The investigation revealed that Khedkar altered critical personal information, including her name and the names of her parents, to secure additional attempts at the examination. This manipulation raised serious concerns about the integrity of the selection process. Following these findings, the Delhi Police have filed charges against her, which include forgery under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the Information Technology Act. The UPSC has also issued a show-cause notice, demanding Khedkar explain why her candidature should not be canceled, with further consequences hinging on her response.

The allegations against Khedkar surfaced after the Maharashtra government compiled a report for the central authorities, particularly the Department of Personnel and Training. This report included documentation scrutinizing Khedkar’s claims of physical disability and her status as a member of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which she allegedly exploited to qualify for the IAS despite a modest all-India rank of 841 in the entrance exam.

The investigation has also uncovered that Khedkar misused her position during her initial posting as an Assistant Collector in Pune, where she reportedly demanded unauthorized privileges, including the use of a siren on her personal vehicle, which is typically reserved for higher-ranking officials. This misuse of power led to further scrutiny, revealing that she had sought fake disability certificates to qualify for the civil service, first approaching one hospital that denied her request before succeeding at another facility.

As the situation escalates, Khedkar has been recalled from her training in Washim and brought back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, where future government officers are trained. The UPSC has emphasized its commitment to maintaining the credibility and integrity of the examination process, stating that it conducts all procedures with the utmost diligence and without compromise.

The commission’s actions against Khedkar could lead to her disqualification from future civil services examinations, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the importance of ethical conduct in public service recruitment. As the investigation continues, the implications of Khedkar’s actions not only threaten her career but also raise broader questions about the integrity of the civil services examination system in India.

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