Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar, Who Used Red Beacon On Audi, Faked Mental Disability: Reports

Puja Khedkar, a probationary Civil Service officer, claimed visual and mental impairments in an affidavit to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to avail concessions in the selection process. She refused six times to undergo mandatory medical tests to confirm these disabilities, raising questions about her appointment.

As per NDTV, her first scheduled test was at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in April 2022, which she skipped citing a positive COVID-19 test. Subsequent appointments in the following months were also missed, and she only partially attended a sixth appointment in September, avoiding an MRI test for vision loss assessment. Despite these refusals, her civil service appointment was somehow confirmed.

The Commission challenged her selection, and in February 2023, a tribunal ruled against her. However, she managed to have her appointment confirmed. Questions also arose over her claiming Other Backward Classes (OBC) status. Allegedly falsified statements and the resulting allowances enabled her to pass the Civil Services Exam with a relatively low all-India rank of 841.

Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim after her actions, including using a siren on her private Audi sedan, came to light. Pune Collector Suhas Divase requested her reassignment to the Chief Secretary of the Maharashtra government. She was assigned to serve the remainder of her probation as Supernumerary Assistant Collector in Washim district.

Additionally, Khedkar was found using VIP number plates, a 'Government of Maharashtra' sticker, and Pune Additional Collector Ajay More's office while he was away, removing his nameplate and furniture, and demanding letterheads.

None of these perks are available to junior officers on probation. Reports suggest her father, a retired administrative officer, influenced her demands.

Khedkar, hailing from Ahmednagar, is a 2023-batch IAS officer.