Published Jul 20, 2024 | 2:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 20, 2024 | 5:50 PM
Representational image.
The recent fiasco of the controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar’s fraudulent means to secure a seat, and the subsequent action by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has elicited strong reactions from the serving bureaucrats and officers, who underscored the necessity of upholding the integrity of the process.
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in the country, through which bureaucrats for top government posts are selected.
The UPSC conducts the exam in three stages— preliminary, main and interview— to select officers of the Indian Administration Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.
The UPSC on Friday, 19 July took strict action against Puja Khedkar, by filing an FIR for criminal prosecution and issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) for the cancellation of her candidature.
She also faces potential debarment from future examinations and selections according to the examination rules. The UPSC emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of its examination processes.
However, the whole issue has cast shadows on the commission’s integrity and raised pertinent questions, such as how was she able to get this far despite verification processes.
Speaking to South First, many serving bureaucrats opined on the issue and shared their viewpoints.
Karnataka’s ADGP for Training, Traffic, and Road Safety, Alok Kumar, praised the UPSC’s measures, stating, “It was a long-awaited action. UPSC is the last bastion of meritorious students.”
Reiterating his point, Kumar noted, “Meritorious students in this country have high hopes for UPSC.”
He emphasised the need for stringent action against candidates using fake certificates and highlighted the necessity for thorough verification processes.
Kumar suggested that candidates claiming special abilities should be examined by an independent medical board to minimise manipulation.
“UPSC has maintained its reputation to date. Sincere steps need to be taken to preserve its credibility,” he reiterated.
Traffic DCP Rahul Hegde in Telangana called for zero tolerance for such blatant misuse, underling the need to look into those who provided the false certificates. “There should be zero tolerance for such blatant misuse. Not only is it fraudulent, but also is taking the opportunity away from someone who deserves it.”
“The fact that it got this far in spite of the verification process casts doubts on the entire process. The action is right, but it is also necessary to look into those who provided the false certificates to begin with,” he added.
Kochi city police commissioner Syam Sundar IPS described the entire episode as very “unfortunate.”
Roopa D Moudgil, IPS, IGP, reflected on the misuse of quotas for the physically disabled in Civil Services.
“In 2005, when the government introduced a quota for the physically disabled in civil services, it was a welcome move. But over the years, unfortunately, by misuse of this quota, the real empowerment of the physically disabled has not occurred fully.”
She added, “How the misuse happens is, for example, if a candidate claims physical disability and UPSC/DoPT rejects that based on the medical examination, then, the candidate approaches courts and gets a favourable order. In some such cases, the DoPT has never gone up till the Apex Court, appealing against the orders of the lower court or the high court. This leaves a big room for misuse by the candidates.”
An in-depth investigation revealed that Khedkar had manipulated her identity to exceed the permissible limit of exam attempts by altering her name, her parents’ names, her photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.
While specific details of the case have not been disclosed, officials indicated that it involves charges of forgery, cheating, and misuse of the disability quota in securing her civil services candidacy.
The case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act, and disability laws.
The UPSC stated, “It is categorically stated that in fulfilling its Constitutional obligations, the UPSC stringently adheres to its Constitutional mandate, and conducts all its processes, including all examinations, with the highest possible order of due diligence without any compromise. The UPSC has ensured the sanctity and integrity of all its examination processes with the utmost fairness and strict observance of Rules.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
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