UPSC Relaxation For OBC, PwBD in Spotlight as Puja Khedkar Faces Forgery Charges

New Delhi: In the midst of a controversy surrounding a trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly forged documents to avail reservation benefits in the UPSC civil services exam, it is pertinent to revisit what the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) offers to reserved category candidates as part of its relaxations.

Who is Puja Khedkar?

Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a 2023 batch UPSC civil servant, has recently come under scrutiny for her alleged misuse of power and forgery. Known for using a private Audi adorned with a "Government of Maharashtra" sticker and a red-blue beacon in Pune, Ms. Khedekar made headlines even before joining as an assistant collector. She had reportedly demanded an official car with a VIP number plate, accommodation, an official chamber with adequate staff, and a constable—privileges not entitled to a trainee officer.

Allegations of Forged Income Proof for OBC Relaxation

Reports indicate that her father, a retired administrative officer, pressured the District Collector's office to meet her demands. This influence extended to her workplace behavior, where she allegedly removed the nameplate of senior officer Ajay More in the Pune collector's office to use the space for herself. These actions, perceived as a misuse of power, led to her transfer from Pune to Washim. She will now serve as a supernumerary assistant collector in Washim district, completing her training until July 30, 2025.

Further allegations against Ms. Khedekar include claiming OBC status under the non-creamy layer category, which has an income cap of ₹ 8 lakh per annum. However, her father's election affidavit showed assets worth ₹ 40 crore and an annual income of ₹ 43 lakh, raising questions about her eligibility. Additionally, she claimed to have multiple disabilities, including a learning disability, and sought special accommodations during her UPSC examination without disclosing the nature or extent of her disabilities.

Ms. Khedekar, under the name Puja Manorama Dilip Khedekar, cleared the UPSC CSE 2022, securing the 821st rank, claiming benefits as both an OBC and PwBD-5 category candidate. Puja scored 743 marks in the written exam and 171 in the interview. In total, her marks were 914. She bagged 821 rank.  

Relaxations for OBC Category in UPSC IAS Exam

The UPSC offers several relaxations to candidates from the OBC category:

• Lower Cut-off Marks: Generally, the cut-off mark for reserved category candidates is lower than unreserved category candidates. In 2022, the cut-off mark for UPSC CSE Final was 960 for unreserved category and 923 for OBC. For PwBD 1, the cut-off was 879. Puja Khedkar claimed to be under PwBD-5 category of which the cut-off mark was 590.  
• Number of Attempts: While general category candidates are permitted six attempts, OBC candidates can avail up to nine attempts.
• Age Relaxation: The age limit for general candidates is 21 to 32 years. OBC candidates are eligible for a maximum of three years' relaxation, making the age limit 21 to 35 years. PwBD candidates, including those from OBC, SC, and ST categories, are eligible for up to 10 years of age relaxation.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2022 Cut-Off Mark 

Disciplinary Actions for False Claims

The UPSC maintains strict rules against false claims. If a candidate is found guilty of submitting fabricated or incorrect documents, making false statements, or any other form of misconduct, they may face severe disciplinary actions. This includes disqualification from the examination, debarment from future exams, and potential criminal prosecution. The rules ensure that all candidates have an equal and fair opportunity to compete for civil services positions.