UPSC Doesn’t Have Power To Disqualify Me, Puja Khedkar Tells High Court

New Delhi: Former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar challenged the decision to disqualify her, saying that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) doesn’t have the power to act against her.

Khedkar, in a response filed before Delhi High Court on UPSC’s charges of misusing her powers, submitted that once selected and appointed as a probationer, UPSC doesn’t have the authority to disqualify her candidature.

“DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) alone can take action under the All India Services Act, 1954 and the Probationer Rules as per Rule 19 of the CSE 2022 Rules,” Khedkar argued.

UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s provisional candidature on July 31, and barred her from appearing in any future examination or selection.

UPSC said Khedkar was guilty of misusing her powers and acting in contravention of the provisions of Civil Services Exam 2022 rules, including “faking her identity.”

UPSC also filed a criminal case against Khedkar on charges of cheating, fraudulence and forgery.

Khedkar, who then moved the high court, claimed that she did not manipulate or misrepresent her name to UPSC.

“There has been no change in the applicant’s first name and surname, from 2012 to 2022, as consistently reflected in all DAFs,” her response stated.

“UPSC has verified her identity through biometric data (cy and fingerprints) collected during the personality tests of 2019, 2021, and 2022 and all the documents were verified by the Commission during the personality test on 26.05. 2022,” she further said.