UPSC files FIR against Puja Khedkar, IAS trainee reacts

Puja Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was accused of misusing power and privileges during her training in Pune recently. (Image: ANI/file)

The Union Public Service Commission has filed an FIR against probationer Puja Khedkar for "faking identity".

The UPSC has also served a show cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature from the Civil Services Exam -2022 and to debar her from the future exams. A notification issued Friday afternoon said Ms Khedkar "fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit", and the UPSC had "initiated a series of actions against" the 23-year-old.

According to reports,  she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the examination rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, photograph, signature, her email ID, mobile number and address.

“The UPSC initiated a series of actions against her, including criminal prosecution by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police authorities and has issued a show cause notice for cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination-2022 and debarment from future examinations, selections, in accordance with the rules of the Civil Services Examination-2022." said the UPSC statement.

UPSC has, initiated a series of actions against her, including Criminal Prosecution by filing an FIR with the Police Authorities and has issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) for cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination-2022/ debarment from future… pic.twitter.com/ho417v93Ek

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2024

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has submitted its report on t Puja Khedkar  over alleged misuse of power and claims that she made in her UPSC candidature, to the Centre.

The state government's General Administration Department, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Garade, has submitted its report to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). A copy of the report has also been sent to a one-member committee formed by the central government.

Last week, Khedkar was transferred to Washim from Pune, where she was posted as an assistant collector. She had secured an all-India rank of 841 in the UPSC exam in 2023, and is currently on a 24-month probationary period.