UPSC takes criminal action against IAS trainee Puja Khedkar for fraud; lodges FIR against her

PTC Web Desk:  The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday filed a case against IAS trainee Puja Khedkar and issued a show-cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature for the Civil Services Examination 2022. The notice also seeks to bar her from future exams and selections.

According to a UPSC statement, the commission conducted a comprehensive investigation into the misconduct of IAS trainee Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate for the 2022 Civil Services Examination. The investigation revealed that Puja Khedkar had fraudulently utilised attempts beyond the permissible limit by falsifying her identity. This included altering her name, her parents’ names, her photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.

The UPSC has initiated criminal proceedings by filing an FIR with the police. Additionally, the commission has issued a show-cause notice seeking the cancellation of Khedkar’s candidature for the Civil Services Examination 2022 and proposed debarment from future examinations and selections, in line with the examination rules.