UPSC Files FIR Against IAS Probationer Puja Khedkar for Alleged Fraud

New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has taken stern actions against IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, including filing a First Information Report (FIR) and issuing a show-cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature from the Civil Services Exam-2022 and barring her from future examinations.

The UPSC’s statement revealed that a thorough investigation into Ms. Khedkar’s conduct uncovered fraudulent activities, including forging disability certificates to clear the exam and availing attempts beyond the permissible limit by falsifying her identity. This included changing her name, her parents’ names, her photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.

The Commission emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examination processes, stating, “The UPSC stringently adheres to its Constitutional mandate and conducts all its processes with the highest possible order of due diligence without any compromise.”

Ms. Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022, is also under investigation for claiming an Other Backward Classes (OBC) status and various disabilities to receive concessions in the selection process. However, she refused mandatory medical tests to confirm these disabilities.

The Maharashtra government has submitted a report on Ms. Khedkar to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) after a week-long probe. The report includes documents testing the veracity of her claims, revealing that she did not qualify for OBC non-creamy layer status due to her father’s assets worth ₹40 crore.

Additional Secretary in the DoPT, Manoj Dwivedi, has been tasked with completing the investigation within two weeks. The report also mentions Ms. Khedkar’s misuse of power, including using a siren on her private Audi, demanding privileges not available to junior officers, and exhibiting indecent behavior at the Pune Collectorate.

Ms. Khedkar has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, and her training has been put on hold. She must report to the academy by July 23.

If found guilty, Ms. Khedkar may face dismissal and criminal action for hiding facts and misrepresentation.