In a statement, the UPSC contended that it has conducted “a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanor of Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022”.

Following the investigation it has been found that Khedkar “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”, it said.

“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 statement read.

In its statement, the UPSC said, “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.

“The UPSC has deservedly earned the trust and credibility of a very high order from the public, especially the candidates. The Commission is unequivocally committed to ensure that such high order of trust and credibility remains intact and uncompromised,” it further said.

It should also be noted here that the IAS probationer has been under investigation by a single-member probe panel led by additional secretary Manoj Dwivedi in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Earlier this week, Khedkar was ordered to cut short her field training and report back to the Mussoorie-based Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). 

The DoPT had formed the probe panel following the controversy that surfaced about her caste and physical disability, which was triggered by her using a beacon light on her private Audi car. The car in question has been compounded by the Maharashtra police for violation of the Motor Vehicle Act. 

Documents submitted by her for selection as an IAS under OBC and physically challenged categories were under scrutiny. Khedkar had secured 821rank in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services examination in the OBC category.

Sources in the DoPT indicated that the trainee IAS officer Khedkar might be dismissed from service if the probe panel finds her guilty of violating rules of appointment.

Last week on Friday a video emerged on social media where her mother could be seen threatening a group of men with a pistol in her hand over a land dispute.

Puja Khedkar shot into the limelight after a photo of her private car – an expensive Audi – mounted with a red-blue beacon light went viral, forcing authorities to order her immediate transfer.

She had violated a 2017 government order that barred the use of the beacon lights by ministers, judges, and government officials, which was once seen as a symbol of power and privilege.  

The 2022-batch officer, not only mounted a red-blue beacon light atop her private Audi car, but she was also pushing for several other privileges that were above her pay grade. 

Her demands included letter pads, nameplate, separate office chamber and a dedicated staff at her call – none of which she was entitled to as a trainee IAS, the Times of India reported quoting unnamed officials in the Pune district administration.

According to news reports, officials of Pune district administration were allegedly under pressure from Khedkar’s father, who is a member of the Maharashtra Pollution Board and considered politically influential, to comply with his daughter’s requests.