IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Discharged Over Alleged Quota Misuse

The central government discharged Puja Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) over allegations of cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits. Denying all allegations, Khedkar was let go under Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954. The UPSC has also cancelled her candidature.

The central government has discharged Puja Khedkar, a former probationary civil servant, from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) effective immediately, according to official sources.

Khedkar is accused of cheating and improperly availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits to secure her position in the service, allegations she has denied.

An order dated September 6, 2024, invoked Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, to terminate Khedkar's service immediately. The rules permit the central government to discharge probationers if they fail to pass re-examinations or are deemed ineligible for service.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) also cancelled Khedkar's candidature on July 31 and barred her from future exams. She was serving as a probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra.

(With inputs from agencies.)