The Union government has terminated IAS probationer Puja Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, following the cancellation of her provisional candidature by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Khedkar faces allegations of cheating and misusing benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quotas.
Khedkar’s discharge comes under Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, which allows the government to remove probationers if they fail re-examinations or are found ineligible for recruitment.
Her legal troubles began after accusations of submitting forged disability certificates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 and 2023. The UPSC cancelled her candidature on July 31, stating she committed fraud and called for her custodial interrogation.
Khedkar has denied the allegations, recently telling the Delhi High Court she is willing to undergo medical examination at AIIMS to prove the legitimacy of her disability claims. The court is currently hearing her anticipatory bail plea in the ongoing criminal investigation.
