Puja Khedkar case: UPSC finally bars former IAS trainee permanently for misusing quotas in civil services exam

In a decisive move, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has permanently barred Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer, from appearing in all future exams conducted by the commission. This action comes after allegations surfaced that Khedkar misused the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas to secure her candidature in the civil services exam.

Allegations and investigation

Puja Khedkar has been accused of violating the rules of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 by fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit and misrepresenting her eligibility under the disability and OBC (non-creamy layer) categories. The UPSC, following a thorough review of her application and eligibility, found her guilty of these violations.
"UPSC has examined the available records carefully and found her guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the CSE-2022 Rules. Her provisional candidature for the CSE-2022 has been cancelled and she has also been debarred permanently from all the future Examinations/Selections of the UPSC," the commission stated.

Failure to respond to show cause notice

The UPSC issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) to Khedkar on July 18, giving her an opportunity to explain her actions. Despite extending the deadline to July 30, Khedkar failed to provide an explanation within the prescribed time. The commission emphasised that this extension was the final opportunity for her to respond.

Legal actions and charges

Following the UPSC's findings, Puja Khedkar has been booked by the Delhi Police Crime Branch under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:

- Section 420 (cheating)

- Section 464 (making a document in the name of a fictitious person)

- Section 465 (forgery)

- Section 471 (passing off a forged document as genuine)

Additionally, she faces charges under sections 89 and 91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and section 66D of the Information Technology Act.

A team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the Crime Branch has been tasked with collecting documents from various government departments to support the investigation.

Broader implications

This case highlights the stringent measures taken by the UPSC to maintain the integrity of its examination process. Misuse of quotas and fraudulent activities undermine the fairness of the competitive exams, depriving deserving candidates of their rightful opportunities. The UPSC's decision to debar Puja Khedkar serves as a stern warning to all aspirants about the consequences of attempting to manipulate the system.

The permanent debarment of Puja Khedkar from future UPSC exams underscores the commission's commitment to upholding transparency and fairness in its selection process. As the legal proceedings continue, this case will likely prompt a reevaluation of the safeguards in place to prevent such incidents, ensuring that the civil services examination remains a beacon of meritocracy and integrity.