Puja Khedkar has been accused of manipulating the disability and Other Backward Class quotas to qualify for the civil services examination.
In a major development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has revoked Puja Khedkar‘s provisional candidature for the civil services examination. Additionally, the UPSC has barred her from participating in any future exams conducted by the commission.
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This decision was made following a comprehensive review of Khedkar’s eligibility and the context of her application.
Puja Khedkar has been accused of manipulating the disability and Other Backward Class (non-creamy layer) quotas to qualify for the civil services examination.
The UPSC’s decision came after a detailed investigation into her qualifications and the circumstances of her application.
An official statement from the UPSC reads, “After thoroughly examining the available records, UPSC determined that she violated the CSE-2022 Rules. As a result, her provisional candidature for the CSE-2022 has been canceled, and she is permanently disqualified from all future UPSC examinations and selections.”
The UPSC panel also revealed that a Show Cause Notice (SCN) was issued to Puja Khedkar on July 18 for allegedly exceeding the permissible number of attempts by falsifying her identity.
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After the issuance of the notice, Khedkar was given until July 30 to respond, with the UPSC stating this would be her “final opportunity” and that “no further extension in time” would be granted.
The panel stated, “Despite the extension in time allowed to her, she failed to submit her explanation within the prescribed time.”
Khedkar has also been charged by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (non-creamy layer) quotas to qualify for the civil services examination.
To investigate these allegations, a team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) was tasked with collecting documents from various government departments.
A case has been registered against Puja Khedkar under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating), 464 (making a document in the name of a fictitious person), 465 (forgery), and 471 (using a forged document as genuine).
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She also faces charges under sections 89 and 91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and section 66D of the Information Technology Act.