News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/19th July 2024
On July 19, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) initiated legal proceedings against Puja Khedkar, an IAS probationer, in connection with alleged fraudulent activities related to the Civil Services Examination-2022. The UPSC has filed a case and issued a show cause notice seeking the cancellation of Khedkar’s candidature and her debarment from future examinations.
The UPSC’s statement reveals that an extensive investigation uncovered significant discrepancies involving Khedkar. The inquiry found that she had engaged in fraudulent activities to exceed the permissible number of attempts by altering her identity. This deception included changing her name, her parents’ names, her photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.
As a result of these findings, the UPSC has taken a series of actions. These include filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police and issuing a Show Cause Notice (SCN) to address the cancellation of her candidature from the Civil Services Examination-2022. The notice also contemplates her exclusion from future UPSC exams and selections, adhering to the examination’s rules.
The UPSC emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and diligence in all its processes. The commission stressed that it operates with the utmost fairness and strict adherence to examination rules, ensuring the sanctity and credibility of its procedures.
The statement further underscored that the UPSC has built a reputation for trust and credibility with the public and candidates. The commission reiterated its unwavering dedication to maintaining this high level of trust and ensuring that its examination processes remain unimpeachable.
In addition to the official actions taken by the UPSC, the controversy surrounding Khedkar has been compounded by unrelated issues involving her family, further adding to the scrutiny of her case. The UPSC’s decision highlights its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct and its commitment to preserving the integrity of the civil services examination process.
