Documents reveal Puja Khedkar’s age increased by only one year from 2020 to 2023

New Delhi: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar is under scrutiny after documents revealed an inconsistency in her age. According to official records, Khedkar aged just one year between 2020 and 2023. The IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, passed the UPSC civil service exam by applying under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories. She claimed to be from the non-creamy layer and cited visual and mental disabilities.

However, Khedkar did not undergo the required tests to verify her PwBD status. The UPSC challenged her selection, and the Central Appellate Tribunal (CAT) ruled against her in February 2023.

Age discrepancy 

A closer look at Khedkar’s CAT application forms from 2020 and 2023 shows a peculiar detail: her age only increased by one year despite a three-year gap. Moreover, she used different names on the forms – Khedkar Puja Deeliprao in 2020 and Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar in 2023.

This discrepancy is crucial because general category UPSC candidates can attempt the exam up to six times until they turn 32, while OBC candidates have up to nine attempts until they turn 35.

What are accusations against Puja Khedkar?

Khedkar faces allegations of misrepresenting herself under the PwBD and OBC categories to qualify for the civil service exam. She is also accused of abusing her power during her posting in Pune.

Pune Police are investigating the authenticity of the medical certificates Khedkar submitted, including one that claimed she had a visual impairment.

Medical fitness in question

Adding to the controversy, a medical certificate from 2007, submitted by Khedkar for admission to a Pune medical college, has surfaced. The certificate declared her 'medically fit' with no apparent disabilities.

"There was no mention of any disability, whether physical or mental, in the medical fitness certificate submitted by Puja Khedkar," said Dr. Arvind Bhore, director of the Kashibai Navale Medical College in Pune.

What has Khedkar said in defense?

Khedkar stated that the truth will come out once a government committee reviews her case. She said, "I will testify before the committee. I think whatever decision the committee takes should be acceptable to all... Neither I nor you (media) or the public can decide."

The central government established a committee last week to verify Khedkar’s candidacy within two weeks. Meanwhile, Pune Police are also trying to locate Khedkar's parents in connection with a criminal case.