In a major scandal shaking up the Indian bureaucracy, IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been discharged from service by the UPSC for cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits. This comes after a month of her selection being cancelled and her being barred from future exams. The controversy has brought to light loopholes in the selection process and has resulted in the scrutiny of over 15,000 candidates.
IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Discharged for Cheating and Disability Quota Abuse
In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through the Indian bureaucracy, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has discharged IAS officer Puja Khedkar from service for cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits. This extraordinary action comes after a month of her selection being canceled and her being barred from future exams.
Background
Puja Khedkar, a resident of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, was selected for the IAS in 2019. However, soon after her selection, allegations surfaced that she had misrepresented her caste and disability status to secure admission to the IAS through the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota, respectively.
Investigation and Findings
The allegations against Khedkar prompted the UPSC to initiate an investigation. The probe revealed that Khedkar had produced a false OBC certificate to claim OBC status, which provided her with a relaxation in the cutoff marks for the IAS exam. Additionally, she had submitted a medical certificate declaring a disability of 40%, which entitled her to additional benefits during the exam. However, the investigation found that Khedkar did not have this level of disability.
Consequences
Based on the findings of the investigation, the UPSC canceled Khedkar's selection for the IAS in September 2023. Subsequently, it barred her from appearing in any future UPSC exams. The latest development, her discharge from service, is the culmination of the UPSC's disciplinary proceedings against her.
Impact
The scandal involving Puja Khedkar has exposed significant loopholes in the selection process for the IAS. It has raised questions about the authenticity of caste and disability certificates submitted by candidates and has prompted the UPSC to implement stricter verification mechanisms. The controversy has also led to the scrutiny of over 15,000 candidates who have been selected for government jobs through various quotas.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the specific charge against Puja Khedkar? Answer: Cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits.
2. What were the specific misrepresentations made by Khedkar? Answer: She produced a false OBC certificate and a medical certificate declaring a disability of 40%.
3. What actions has the UPSC taken against Khedkar? Answer: Canceled her selection for the IAS, barred her from future exams, and discharged her from service.
4. What are the broader implications of this scandal? Answer: It has exposed loopholes in the UPSC selection process and raised questions about the authenticity of caste and disability certificates.
5. What measures is the UPSC taking to prevent such incidents in the future? Answer: Implementing stricter verification mechanisms for caste and disability certificates.
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