Pune: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the cancellation of Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar’s provisional candidature for the Civil Services Examination-2022 (CSE-2022).

Khedkar, who was initially recommended as a candidate, has now been permanently debarred from all future UPSC exams and selections. The decision, announced by the UPSC, underscores the commission's commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of its examination process.

UPSC had initiated a series of actions against Puja Khedkar including Criminal Prosecution by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police authorities and has issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN).

In a press release issued on July 19, UPSC stated that it has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanour of Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar.

"From this investigation it has been revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the Examination Rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father's & mother's name, her photograph/ signature, her email ID, mobile number and address," the release mentioned.

The UPSC has, therefore, initiated a series of actions against her, including Criminal Prosecution by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the Police Authorities and has issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) for cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination-2022/ debarment from future examinations/ selections, in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Services Examination-2022.

UPSC further states, "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."