UPSC Files FIR Against Puja Khedkar for Alleged Fraud in Civil Service
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Friday that it has filed a police report (FIR) against IAS probationer Puja Khedkar. She is accused of "faking her identity to get extra chances to take the UPSC Civil Services Exam beyond the allowed limit." UPSC has also issued her a notice to explain why her selection should not be cancelled and why she should not be banned from future exams.
Khedkar, 32, started her probationary training at the Pune Collectorate in June 2024. She is also being investigated for allegedly misusing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas to pass the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
Earlier this week, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) paused her “district training program” and called her back to the academy from Washim, where she was continuing her training after being transferred from Pune.
The issue began after Suhas Diwase, the Collector of Pune, reported that Khedkar had made inappropriate demands for special treatment. This report led to an investigation, resulting in criminal charges that now threaten her career. Additionally, her parents have been involved in a separate incident from June 2023.
The UPSC's investigation revealed that Khedkar broke several rules. According to a UPSC statement, "Ms Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a candidate for the Civil Services Examination-2022, faked her identity to get extra chances to take the exam. She changed her name, her parents' names, her photograph/signature, her email ID, mobile number, and address."
UPSC has taken several actions against Khedkar, including filing an FIR and issuing a notice to cancel her selection and ban her from future exams. The Commission stressed its commitment to ensuring fairness and strict adherence to the rules in all its processes.
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