The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) revealed on Friday that IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar had falsified her identity to gain unfair advantages. The UPSC has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Khedkar and issued a show cause notice to potentially cancel her Civil Services Exam – 2022 candidature. The commission has also announced plans to bar her from future exams.
Khedkar became a topic of controversy after demanding special accommodations, such as a separate cabin and additional staff, during her Pune posting. It was alleged that she exploited the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas to secure her IAS position.
The UPSC’s investigation found that Khedkar had altered her name, her parents’ names, her photograph, and her signature to bypass the age limits for the exam. She also changed her email ID, mobile number, and address to evade detection.
In its statement, the UPSC said, “The UPSC has initiated a series of actions against her, including criminal prosecution by filing an FIR with the police authorities and issuing a show cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature for the Civil Services Examination 2022.” The commission emphasized its commitment to maintaining public trust and integrity.
