In a significant development related to IAS Puja Khedkar’s controversy, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has revoked the IAS officer trainee selection.
Also, UPSC has banned her from sitting for any entrance exam for a lifetime, after the commission held her guilty for impersonating her identity to give exams several times.
Issuing a statement, UPSC said ‘A show cause notice (SCN) was issued to Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022 (CSE-2022), on July 18, 2024, for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit provided in the examination rules by faking her identity.’
Earlier, the 34 year old Pooja was asked to give response to a notice by July 25. However, she asked for time till August 4.
But UPSC did not comply and declared that this is her ‘final opportunity’ and ‘no further extension time’ will be given.
She was also informed that if she did not respond within prescribed deadline, the commission would then proceed with action.
However, despite the extension provided, she did not issue an explanation within prescribed time. Later, following the careful evaluation of her records, they found Puja guilty as per the provisions of CSE-2022 Rules.
Has Pooja Khedkar Episode Opened The Pandora Box?
Meanwhile following Pooja Khedkar episode, the panel has now examined the data of more than 15,000 candidates, who passed the IAS screening test between 2009 and 2023.
Talking about their findings, they said that except for Pooja, no candidate has availed attempts that what was permitted under CSE Rules.
The Panel also acknowledged that its current SOP (standard operating procedure) could not recognize puja’s various attempts due to name change of her and her parents.
In order to deal with these cases better, the commission has declared that they’ll take steps to enhance the SOP and prevent similar incidents in the future.
IAS Puja Khedkar Controversy
For those who are unaware, in June, Puja Khedkar was an IAS trainee officer. Problems arose when Pune Collector Suhas Diwas wrote to Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, informing her that Khedkar had demanded perks such as a car, staff, and an office—benefits she was not entitled to during her two-year probation.
Thus, her posting was changed to washim. Amidst this controversy, her selection came to the fore. It was highlighted that she had allegedly used the lenient criteria, which was provided to OBC candidates and individuals with disabilities.
If that wasn’t enough, it was also revealed, that her father had a property worth 40 crores. Due to this, she doesn’t come under OBC non-creamy layer. Moreover, she did not even come for medical-health-check up at govt facility, which was necessary for confirming her exemption.
