In her affidavit filed with the court this morning, Khedkar requested, “Please disregard my seven attempts as a general category student.” She further argued that, if accepted, this would reduce her confirmed attempts to five, each of which she passed, noting, “This is four attempts fewer than the upper limit for persons with disabilities, and one fewer than the limit for general category candidates.”
![[IAS Exam Controversy] Took Exam 12 Times, But Don't Consider 7 Of Those: Puja Khedkar To Court](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/image-159.png?resize=549%2C309&ssl=1)
New Delhi: Former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar today (30th Aug) has requested the Delhi High Court to exclude seven of her twelve attempts at the highly competitive Civil Services exam. Khedkar, citing a diagnosis of an old ACL tear with left knee instability from a Maharashtra hospital, argues that only attempts made in the ‘divyang’ (disabled) category should be counted. She claims a 47% disability, exceeding the government’s 40% threshold.
The term ‘divyang,’ used by the government for persons with disabilities, has been controversial among some who prefer a focus on equal treatment and accessibility rather than a label that may feel isolating.
In her affidavit filed with the court this morning, Khedkar requested,
“Please disregard my seven attempts as a general category student.” She further argued that, if accepted, this would reduce her confirmed attempts to five, each of which she passed, noting, “This is four attempts fewer than the upper limit for persons with disabilities, and one fewer than the limit for general category candidates.”
Khedkar has faced allegations of falsifying disability claims, changing her name, and forging an OBC certificate to pass the exam. These issues came to light in June, revealing she had received perks like a siren and a government sticker for her private vehicle.
Currently, Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea is being heard by the Delhi High Court after a city court rejected it on August 1. The lower court dismissed her claims of an imminent arrest threat, leading her to seek protection from arrest until a final decision.
The police have argued against granting bail, citing concerns about the integrity of the civil services exam and potential public perception issues. The UPSC has accused Khedkar of committing fraud, stating she altered her name and parents’ names to gain additional attempts.
Khedkar contended that only her middle name had been changed, insisting, “Thus, the allegation of a significant alteration to my name is untrue.” She added, “
The UPSC verified my identity through biometric data and found my documents to be genuine.”
She also argued that the UPSC, having already selected and appointed her as a probationary officer, does not have the authority to revoke her selection. According to her, only the Union Government’s Department of Personnel and Training has the jurisdiction to take such action.
![[IAS Exam Controversy] Took Exam 12 Times, But Don't Consider 7 Of Those: Puja Khedkar To Court](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-78-2.png?resize=820%2C547&ssl=1)
Last month, the UPSC claimed that Khedkar had altered both her name and her parents’ names to gain additional attempts at the exam. The UPSC issued a notice accusing her of “fraudulently exceeding the permissible limit of attempts by falsifying her identity.”
Khedkar disputes these claims, stating that only her middle name was changed and that the UPSC’s verification through biometric data confirmed the authenticity of her documents.
She also argues that the UPSC, having revoked her selection, lacks the authority to do so, as only the union government’s Department of Personnel and Training has the power to take action.
