Latest news with #Khedkar
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dismissed IAS officer Puja Khedkar appeals against cancellation of OBC non-creamy layer certificate
Pune/Nashik: Dismissed IAS officer Puja Khedkar has filed an appeal before the state department for other backward classes (OBC) welfare against the Nashik divisional commissioner's decision to cancel her non-creamy layer certificate. An officer from Nashik divisional commissioner Pravin Gedam's office told TOI that the certificate was cancelled over a month ago and the decision was communicated to all those concerned. "The action was taken after it was found that Khedkar had allegedly submitted 'false and misleading information' to obtain the certificate," the officer said. Puja's father, Dilip Khedkar, told TOI on Wednesday: "We have challenged the divisional commissioner's decision before the appellate authority i.e. the state OBC department. We will be presenting our side soon as we feel the divisional commissioner acted under pressure. My daughter's selection to the IAS was not under the OBC quota." You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune A 2023-batch officer, Puja Khedkar was discharged from the IAS in Sept last year with immediate effect as per rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, which provides for discharge of a probationer if s/he is found ineligible or unsuitable for service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She's 75 and Retiring - Her Handcrafted Jewelry Is 80% OFF Craftmanship Daily Read More Undo Khedkar is accused of availing benefits under the OBC and disability quotas to secure her selection. The Union Public Service Commission had cancelled her provisional candidature for the Civil Services Examination 2022 and debarred her from all future exams conducted by the commission. Based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra govt, the Centre had constituted a single-member panel to verify the claims made by Khedkar. The panel submitted its findings to the DoPT secretary on July 24, following which the order to discharge her was issued.
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Puja Khedkar's non-creamy layer OBC certificate cancelled
The Nashik divisional commissioner has cancelled the non-creamy layer certificate of Puja Khedkar, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationer accused of fraudulently clearing the 2022 civil services examination by misrepresenting her identity and using forged documents. Washim, Jul 16 (ANI): IAS trainee Puja Khedkar speaks to the media regarding the police interrogation at her residence, in Washim on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) (ANI) Khedkar, whose probation has already been terminated, is expected to appeal against the cancellation. The hearing will be held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, soon, officials said. Praveen Gedam, the Nashik divisional commissioner, had rejected Khedkar's application for the certificate more than a month ago, officials said. Khedkar has now appealed to the secretary of the state Other Backward Class (OBC) department, Appasaheb Dhulaj, against the cancellation. 'Last week, she told us that she needs a four-week extension,' said Dhulaj. Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, allegedly misused the OBC non-creamy layer and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas to secure her selection. She is accused of submitting fake OBC and disability certificates, claiming conditions like mental illness, low vision, and locomotor issues, to avail reservation benefits. To qualify for the OBC non-creamy layer category, a candidate's family income needs to be less than ₹8 lakh per annum. Khedkar had allegedly claimed that her family income was ₹6 lakh per annum. However, investigations revealed that her family owns significant assets, including 23 immovable properties and 12 vehicles. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, was a regional officer in the state pollution control board and had declared assets of ₹40 crore when he contested the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. Khedkar ran into trouble when she demanded unauthorised perks like a cabin for herself and used a beacon light on her private Audi, which sparked scrutiny. Later, many irregularities in her appointment were exposed, and her probation was terminated. In July 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancelled Khedkar's candidature, debarred her from future exams, and filed a criminal case against her for cheating and forgery. The central government dismissed her from the IAS in September 2024. Khedkar, who has denied all allegations, is on anticipatory bail granted by the Supreme Court. Puja Khedkar was not available for comment, while her father, Dilip Khedkar, said he was not aware of the appeal before Dhulaj.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
UPSC to use biometric, AI tools in exams from June to curb cheating
In a move aimed at tightening exam security and curbing fraudulent practices, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is preparing to introduce Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and AI-powered surveillance for its recruitment exams beginning June this year. However, this upgrade in examination protocol will not be applied to the upcoming Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, scheduled for Sunday, which will see nearly 9.5 lakh candidates across 80 to sources, the biometric verification system will include fingerprint authentication, facial recognition, and QR code scanning of e-admit cards. Additionally, live AI-enabled CCTV monitoring will be deployed to prevent impersonation and detect suspicious behaviour during decision comes in the wake of high-profile controversies such as the Puja Khedkar case, where the former IAS probationer was accused of using multiple identities to exceed the permissible number of attempts in the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The UPSC had revoked her candidature for the 2022 exam after determining that she had applied under different names, including changes to her parents' details. Although Khedkar has challenged the action in court, the incident has triggered a comprehensive review of UPSC's examination and verification systems. The groundwork for the biometric and AI integration was laid last year when the UPSC invited bids from public sector undertakings for implementing the technological overhaul. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) later approved the Commission's request to use Aadhaar authentication voluntarily for identity verification at various stages of the recruitment Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar confirmed that the new systems will be operational for all exams starting in June. The Commission conducts 14 major exams annually, including the Civil Services, Engineering Services, and Combined Medical Services exams, among the Khedkar controversy, the UPSC conducted a retrospective analysis of over 15,000 candidates recommended between 2009 and 2023. The investigation revealed no other anomalies in terms of excessive attempts, reinforcing the need for a more robust identity verification UPSC has also committed to refining its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent similar breaches in the future, signaling a broader push toward greater transparency and accountability in one of the country's most prestigious recruitment processes.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
UPSC likely to implement biometric authentication from June
In order to prevent malpractices by candidates, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is likely to implement Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for its exams starting in June, The Indian Express has learnt. This, however, will not affect the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, which is scheduled to be held across 80 centres with around 9.5 lakh students expected to appear on Sunday, as per UPSC sources. The Commission had in June last year kicked off the project by inviting bids from public sector undertakings for 'Aadhaar based Fingerprint Authentication/Digital Fingerprint Capturing & Facial Recognition of Candidates, QR Code Scanning of e-Admit Cards and Live AI-based CCTV Surveillance', as per the tender document. Following that, the Department of Personnel and Training had on August 28, 2024 notified that the UPSC was 'allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, for verification of identity of candidates at the time of registration on 'One Time Registration' portal and various stages of examination/recruitment test, using Yes/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility.' When asked about the status of the project, UPSC chairman Dr Ajay Kumar told The Indian Express: 'This will be launched for all exams starting in June itself'. The UPSC conducts 14 major examinations as well as recruitment tests and interviews for Group A and Group B posts in the Union Government. As per its tender document, the UPSC called for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition of candidates and scanning of e-Admit Cards with QR codes to prevent impersonation, and live AI-based CCTV surveillance during exams to check for cheating. The move comes at a time when the UPSC is facing scrutiny over the case of Puja Khedkar, the former IAS probationer who was dismissed from service last year following allegations of forgery and misconduct. The UPSC had in July 2024 cancelled Khedkar's candidature for the CSE 2022 saying that she had appeared for the examination beyond the maximum attempts allowed and had applied under different names herself and of her parents. The DoPT then dismissed her from service. Khedkar has denied the charges and has contested the decision in court. Following the case, the UPSC had examined the data of the number of attempts availed by over 15,000 recommended candidates from 2009 to 2023. 'After this detailed exercise, barring the case of Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, no other candidate has been found to have availed more number of attempts than permitted under the CSE Rules. In the lone case of Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the UPSC could not detect her number of attempts primarily due to the fact that she changed not only her name but also her parents' name. The UPSC is in the process of further strengthening the SOP to ensure that such a case does not recur in the future,' the UPSC had said in a statement on July 31 last year. Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu's national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC grants pre-arrest bail to ex-IAS trainee officer in UPSC fraud case
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging documents to obtain eligibility for the 2022 civil services examination exam. 'Having regard to the nature of offences registered against her and bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the high court ought to have granted the relief of anticipatory bail to the appellant,' a bench led by justice BV Nagarathna said. While disposing off Khedkar's plea, the court also permitted Delhi police to seek cancellation of bail in the event she is found to tamper with evidence, influence witnesses or not cooperating with the probe. 'In the event of her arrest, the appellant shall be released on shall extend full cooperation in the investigation and shall not misuse her liberty. She shall not, in anyway, influence the witnesses or tamper with the materials on record,' the bench, also comprising justice SC Sharma, said. The court further required her to furnish cash sureties of ₹25,000 with two live sureties. In December 2024, the Delhi high court refused to grant her anticipatory bail, forming a prima facie view that a larger conspiracy needs to be probed behind her attempt to dupe the UPSC. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Khedkar along with advocate Bina Madhavan, pointed out that pursuant to the order passed last month, she has been cooperating with the probe and had appeared before the officer concerned on May 2. Khedkar was granted protection from arrest in February this year and this order was extended from time to time. Luthra urged the court to consider making the relief permanent subject to the conditions that the court may impose. The police opposed the grant of pre-arrest bail ,pointing out that the investigation is still on and the charges against her are serious. However, the court balanced the apprehension of the state in its order, saying, 'Should there be any violation of the aforesaid conditions, liberty is granted to the respondents to seek cancellation of anticipatory bail.' As per the case against Khedkar, from 2012 to 2017, she appeared in the CSE using an OBC certificate issued to her by sub-divisional officer, Pathravi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. In 2018, when the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD) Act came into force, she became eligible to appear as PwBD candidate and appeared as such in the CSE since 2018. According to the investigation conducted against her, while attempting CSE 2020, she had already exhausted all the nine permissible attempts available to PwBD + OBC candidates and was not eligible to appear in CSE 2021. However, she changed her name in 2021, and appeared in CSE 2021, 2022, and 2023 by making 'incorrect or false statements' regarding the number of attempts already availed by her. The UPSC issued her show cause notices in July last year for alleged suppression of information. This was followed by show cause notice issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension before UPSC cancelled her provisional candidature on July 31, 2024. Khedkar, in her petition, said that the high court failed to appreciate that the charges against her pertain to cheating and fraud based on documentary evidence which is already in possession of the police, making it a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. She claimed to be suffering from multiple disability of low vision, hearing impairment, and mental illness to be eligible under the disability category as well.
