IAS trainee Puja Khedkar UPSC selection cancelled, debarred her from all future exams

New-Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission on Wednesday has cancelled the provisional candidature of controversial IAS Probationary officer Puja Khedkar and has permanently barred from taking all future exams conducted by the commission.

The UPSC in a statement said that “Ms Khedkar has been found guilty of violating rules of Civil Services Examination. A Show Cause Notice (SCN) was issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022 (CSE-2022) on 18th July, 2024 for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit provided for in the Examination Rules by faking her identity,” it said.

It added that the 34-year-old was to submit her response to the notice by July 25, but she requested for time till August 4. The UPSC granted her time till July 30 and made it clear that it was the “final opportunity” and “no further extension in time” would be allowed.

Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, was accused of misusing power and privileges by demanding perks and facilities she was not entitled to while serving on probation in Pune. She is also accused of faking her identity to fraudulently avail herself of attempts beyond the permissible limit in the civil services examination.

The Delhi police had registered an FIR against her over a complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).