After Puja Khedkar Row, Centre Tightens UPSC Prelim Exam Rules With Mandatory Document Uploads

In a significant update, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made the online submission of documents, including educational, caste, and physical disability certificates, mandatory at the preliminary examination stage.

This change was introduced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel on Wednesday (22 January).

Earlier, candidates were required to upload these documents only after qualifying for the Mains examination.

The notification also announced that the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 will recruit for 979 vacancies, marking the lowest vacancy count in the past three years. 

These examinations aim to recruit candidates for 23 services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).

This decision follows the controversy surrounding IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly forged disability certificates and falsified information to gain extra attempts and reservation benefits in the CSE 2022. 

Khedkar, who could have appeared for the exam 12 times instead of the permitted nine attempts because of the PwBD certificate, was discharged from service after the allegations surfaced.

The notification further states that candidates must now specify their service and cadre preferences within 10 days of the preliminary results declaration. 

For those qualifying for the Personality Test/Interview, a 15-day window will be provided to upload documents after the declaration of Mains results.

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