Controversial Trainee IAS Puja Khedkar Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Age Discrepancy, Different Names On Applications

Controversial trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar is facing fresh scrutiny after a discrepancy emerged in her age on official documents.

Khedkar, a 34-year-old IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre who is already embroiled in controversy over alleged misuse of quotas and abuse of power, passed the UPSC civil service exam under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories.

She had declared herself from the non-creamy layer and reportedly cited visual and mental disabilities.

The UPSC contested her selection before the Central Appellate Tribunal (CAT), which ruled against Khedkar in February 2023.

Her CAT application forms from 2020 and 2023, which sought age relaxation for persons with benchmark disabilities, showed only a one-year age difference despite a three-year gap, India Today reported.

Moreover, she used slightly different names on her applications: Khedkar Puja Deeliprao in 2020 and Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar in 2023.

This gains significance as general category UPSC candidates are allowed six attempts until age 32, while OBC candidates can attempt up to nine times until age 35.

Khedkar is under investigation for allegedly misrepresenting herself under the PwBD and OBC categories to qualify for the civil service exam. She is also accused of misusing her position during her posting in Pune.

The Pune Police are currently examining the authenticity of medical certificates submitted by Khedkar, including one claiming visual impairment under the PwBD provision.

Last week, the Central government had formed a committee to verify Khedkar's candidacy within two weeks.

Khedkar has maintained her innocence, stating that the truth will come out and that the government committee will make the final decision on her case.

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