UPSC files case against IAS officer Puja Kedkar for alleged forgery, moves to cancel candidature

NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has registered a case against Puja Dilip Kedkar, IAS, for alleged forgery and issued show cause notice for cancellation of her candidature. The investigation revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the exam rule by faking her identity.

Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022, was found to have faked her identity to appear in the exam.

“From this investigation it has been revealed that 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, her photograph/ signature, her email ID, mobile number and address,” the commission said.

As per the UPSC Civil Service Examination (UPSC CSE) rule, every candidate will get six attempts to clear the exam, however, OBC, PwBD candidates will be allowed to appear 9 times. There is no cap on the number of attempts for SC, ST category candidates.

“The UPSC has, therefore, 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 (SCN) for cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination-2022/ debarment from future examinations/ selections, in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Services Examination-2022,” the UPSC said in a statement.

“It is categorically stated that in fulfilling its Constitutional obligations, the UPSC stringently adheres to its Constitutional mandate, and conducts all its processes, including all examinations, with the highest possible order of due diligence without any compromise. The UPSC has ensured the sanctity and integrity of all its examination processes with the utmost fairness and strict observance of Rules,” it added.