The UPSC has lodged a formal complaint against IAS probationer Puja Khedkar and disqualified her from participating in future exams or selections.
This decision follows an extensive investigation that revealed Khedkar’s deceptive actions in exceeding the allowable number of attempts by adopting false identities. She allegedly altered her name, her parents' names, her photo, signature, email address, phone number, and residence to cheat on the exams.
In response, the UPSC has taken several steps, including initiating legal action and issuing a Show Cause Notice to revoke her Civil Services Examination 2022 candidacy. She is also barred from any future exams or selection processes.
In June 2024, Khedkar, 32, began her probationary training at the Pune Collectorate but faced scrutiny for reportedly demanding a separate office and an official vehicle, as well as misusing state government symbols and a beacon on her private car. She has also been accused of improperly using quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). However, she claims these accusations are untrue, as reported by First Post.
After being transferred from Pune to Washim, Khedkar’s issues continued. The government halted her district training program and recalled her to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for further action.
On July 18, the Maharashtra General Administrative Department (GAD), led by Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre, submitted its report on the allegations against Khedkar to the Union government's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). This report was also forwarded to a one-member committee chaired by Additional Secretary Manoj Diwedi, who is investigating the case.