The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Puja Khedkar, a controversial Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee, for committing identity fraud during the Civil Services Examination (CSE) in 2021 and 2022.
Khedkar was recently posted in Maharashtra before being summoned to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy For Administration (LBSNAA) for an inquiry. Allegations against her include using illegal means to acquire a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) certificate as well as an Other Backward Class (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer certificate.
By claiming reservations under both PwBD and OBC categories, Khedkar benefitted doubly in the UPSC CSE 2021 and 2022 exams. Although she cleared CSE 2021, she wasn’t allocated any service because she reportedly didn’t appear for medical tests to verify her disability claims. However, after clearing CSE 2022, she was allocated IAS and placed in her home cadre, Maharashtra.
Early in July, claims of her fraud surfaced, leading to separate probes by the UPSC, the Union Government’s Department of Personnel and Training, and LBSNAA.
According to a statement released by the Union Government’s Press Information Bureau, the UPSC investigation revealed that Khedkar exceeded the permissible number of attempts by manipulating her identity through various means. This included altering her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.
In response to these findings, the UPSC has filed an FIR with the police and issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) to Khedkar. This SCN could result in the cancellation of her candidature for the Civil Services Examination-2022 and her debarment from future examinations and selections, according to the rules governing the Civil Services Examination.
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The Union Government’s press release emphasized that the UPSC adheres to its Constitutional mandate and conducts all its processes, including examinations, with the highest possible order of due diligence.
The Commission ensures the sanctity and integrity of its examination processes with utmost fairness and strict observance of rules. It has earned the trust and credibility of a very high order from the public, especially candidates, and is committed to maintaining this trust and credibility without compromise.
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