UPSC cancels Puja Khedkar's candidature, debars her from all future exams, selections
The UPSC said that barring Puja Khedkar, no other candidate has been found to have availed more number of attempts than permitted under the civil services examination (CSE) Rules
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In a major blow to controversial IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Wednesday cancelled her provisional candidature and permanently debarred her from all the future exams/selections.
The UPSC said the decision was taken after careful examination of the available records and found Puja Khedkar guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the civil services examination (CSE)-2022 Rules.
“Puja Khedkar’s provisional candidature for the CSE-2022 has been cancelled and she has also been debarred permanently from all the future Examinations/Selections of the UPSC,” the Commission said.
Puja Khedkar availed more number of attempts than permitted
The UPSC also said that in the backdrop of Puja Khedkar case, the commission has thoroughly examined the available data of more than 15,000 finally recommended candidates of the CSEs between 2009 to 2023, that is, for 15 years with respect to the number of attempts availed by them.
“After this detailed exercise, barring the case of Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, no other candidate has been found to have availed more number of attempts than permitted under the CSE Rules,” the UPSC said.
