New Delhi:

In a temporary relief, controversial former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has received protection from arrest from the Supreme Court for allegedly lying about disabilities and using forged certificates to clear the civil services exam.

No coercive actions shall be taken against Ms Khedkar till February 14, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra said today and issued notices to the Delhi government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The court will take up the matter again on February 14.

Delhi High Court had earlier denied her bail stating that the charges against her were a “classic example of fraud committed not only against an authority but also the nation at large”. Ms Khedkar approached the top court yesterday calling the high court order “erroneous”.

Read: “Erroneous”: Denied Bail, Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar Approaches Supreme Court

The former IAS probationer had made headlines last year for allegedly availing reservation benefits meant for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories to clear the UPSC exam.

The UPSC had alleged that she appeared for the UPSC exam more than six times permitted in the generation category by changing her and her parents’ names.

Denying the charges, she had claimed she was being targeted for levelling sexual harassment charges against her senior.

Read: Centre Dismisses Controversial Officer Puja Khedkar From IAS, Say Sources

Ms Khedkar, who has a Maharashtra hospital certificate stating she had an “old ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear with left knee instability”, cited her physical disability claim before the high court and said only her attempts in the ‘divyang’ category should be counted.

She argued that the UPSC did not find any fake document after verifying her biometric data and said that she had only changed her middle name.

Taking action in July, the UPSC revoked her selection as a junior government officer and barred her from any further attempts in the civil services exams. She was sacked by the government two months later.

New Delhi:

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Sunday said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Shankar IAS Academy for issuing misleading advertisements related to the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.

The decision was taken by the CCPA to protect and promote the rights of consumers, ensuring that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare said that according to reports, more than 10 lakh candidates apply for the UPSC civil services examination every year.

“Shankar IAS Academy’s advertisement was targeted towards a class of consumers – UPSC aspirants. That’s why such advertisements shall contain truthful and honest representation of facts by disclosing important information in such a manner that they are clear, prominent and extremely hard to miss for consumers,” she mentioned.

Section 18 of the Act empowers CCPA that it shall ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made in respect of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder.

In its advertisement related to the UPSC Civil Service exam 2022, Shankar IAS Academy claimed 336 selections out of 933 at All India Level; 40 candidates in Top 100; 42 candidates cleared from Tamil Nadu, of which 37 studied at Shankar IAS Academy and Best IAS Academy in India.

The CCPA probe found that Shankar IAS Academy advertised various types of courses but the information with respect to the course opted by the advertised successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Service exams results was “deliberately concealed in the advertisement”.

This had the effect of consumers falsely believing that all the successful candidates so claimed by the Institute had opted for the paid courses advertised by the Institute on its website.

“In other words, this practice consequently attracts consumers into buying paid courses advertised by the coaching institutes,” said the regulator that comes under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

In its response, Shankar IAS Academy submitted the details of only 333 successful candidates against its claim of 336 plus selections in UPSC CSE 2022.

Out of 336 claimed students, 221 took Free Interview Guidance Programme, 71 took Mains Test Series, 35 took Prelims Test Series, 12 took General Studies Prelims cum Mains, 4 took Prelims Test Series with Some other mains course (optional and/or GS).

“This fact was not disclosed in their advertisement, thereby deceiving consumers. By concealing this important fact, such false and misleading advertisement creates a huge impact on those consumers who are UPSC aspirants without letting them know that Shankar IAS Academy’s role in candidates’ success,” the CCPA stressed.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar on Friday urged the Delhi High Court to disregard seven of her 12 acknowledged attempts to pass the uber-competitive Civil Services entrance exam.

Specifically, Ms Khedkar doubled down on physical disability claims – she has a Maharashtra hospital certificate diagnosing her with an “old ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear with left knee instability” – and asked, therefore, that only attempts in the ‘divyang‘ category be counted.

She has claimed a 47 per cent disability as against the government’s 40 per cent benchmark.

The term ‘divyang‘ is the government’s term for persons with disabilities, although many have rejected the label, arguing it sets them apart from society and demanding, instead, focus on ensuring equal treatment and rights, as well as accessibility to public spaces and services.

In an affidavit filed with the court this morning she asked that her seven attempts as a general category student be disregarded. Should this be accepted, it will reduce the number of confirmed attempts to five (each of which she passed). This is four less than the upper limits for persons with disabilities, and one less than that allowed for general category candidates.

Puja Khedkar made headlines after claims she lied about physical and mental disabilities, and changed her name and surname, as well as forging an OBC certificate, to clear the exam.

READ | “Someone Doubted…”: Doctor On Trainee Officer’s Disability Claim

Ms Khedkar’s violations were exposed in June after it emerged she had secured perks beyond her pay grade, such as a siren and a ‘Government of Maharashtra’ sticker for her private vehicle.

The Delhi High Court is hearing an anticipatory bail plea by Ms Khedkar, who faces criminal charges, including forgery and cheating. On August 1 a city court had rejected her plea.

READ | Former Trainee IAS Puja Khedkar’s Anticipatory Bail Plea Rejected

The lower court dismissed Ms Khedkar’s claims about “imminent threat of arrest”.

Days later she moved the High Court and the police, also asked to submit a fresh response to her plea – were told not to arrest her till a final verdict. That protection is in place till Thursday.

The police have sought dismissal of her plea on grounds that any relief will hinder its investigation into a “deep-rooted conspiracy”. The cops also argued that giving Ms Khedkar bail could damage public perception of the integrity of the civil services examination and the UPSC.

The UPSC, in turn, has told the Delhi High Court Ms Khedkar committed a “fraud”.

Meanwhile, Ms Khedkar has also rejected a claim by the UPSC – which is the government body that conducts the exam – that she changed her name and surname for one of the 12 attempts, in an attempt to circumvent rules limiting chances per candidate, depending on certain factors.

READ | “Changed Her Name…”: UPSC On How Puja Khedkar Cheated

She claimed only her middle name had been altered and argued “therefore, there is no truth in the allegation that there has been a major change in my name”. “UPSC verified my identity through biometric data… did not find my documents (to be) fake or incorrect…” she argued.

READ | Puja Khedkar Claims UPSC Doesn’t Have Power To Disqualify Her

She has also claimed the UPSC, which has revoked her selection – lacks the authority to do so since she had already been selected and appointed as a probationary officer. Only the union government, specifically the Department of Personnel and Training, can take action, she said.

Last month the UPSC said Ms Khedkar had changed her name, and that of her parents, to secure another crack at the exam. The central body said she had been served a notice for “fraudulently availing attempts, beyond permissible limit… by faking her identity”.

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New Delhi:

Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who has been accused of cheating and wrongly securing OBC (Other Backward Class) and disability quota benefits, has told the Delhi High Court that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) – which conducts the civil services exam – has no power to take disqualify her.

The UPSC last month cancelled Puja Khedkar’s candidature and debarred her from future exams. The Commission alleged that she misrepresented information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 to get reservation benefits.

“Once selected and appointed as a Probationary Officer, UPSC does not have the power to disqualify the candidature,” Puja Khedkar, who is seeking anticipatory bail in the criminal case against her, said in a response filed before the court on the UPSC’s charges against her.

She said that now only the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Central Government can take action against her.

Puja Khedkar On UPSC’s “Changed Her Name” Charge

The UPSC has claimed that Puja Khedkar attempted the uber-competitive qualifying test more than the six times permitted for a general category candidate. She did so by changing her name, and that of her parents, which is why the Commission said it could not detect the violation.

Puja Khedkar, however, refuted these allegations and said that there has been no change in her name or surname from 2012 to 2022. She also said that she had not given any wrong information about herself to the UPSC.

“UPSC verified my identity through biometric data. The Commission did not find my documents fake or incorrect. My educational certificate, Aadhaar card, date of birth, and other personal information were found to be absolutely correct,” she told the court.

“All the necessary verifications were also done by DoPT. As per DoPT, a medical board constituted by AIIMS conducted my medical examination. The board found my disability to be up to 47% and more than the 40% disability required for the PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) category,” she said in her reply.

Puja Khedkar’s “Fraud” Not Only Against Us But Public Too: UPSC

The UPSC, earlier this month, opposed in the Delhi High Court an anticipatory bail petition by Puja Khedkar, saying she committed “fraud” against the commission and the public. 

In its reply filed in court on August 21, the UPSC said Puja Khedkar’s custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth the magnitude of the “fraud” that could not have been done without the help of other individuals. Therefore, her pre-arrest bail plea should be dismissed, it said.

“The gravity of the fraud committed is unprecedented in nature having been committed against not only a constitutional body — the complainant — whose traditions are untrammelled and unparalleled but also against the public at large, including the citizens of this country who have utmost faith upon the credibility of the UPSC as well as persons who could not be appointed despite being duly eligible and qualified due to illegal means employed by the applicant to seek appointment,” the UPSC said.

The Delhi Police has also sought dismissal of the pre-arrest bail plea on the ground that any relief to her would hinder its probe into the “deep-rooted conspiracy” and that the case has wider implications on public trust as well as the integrity of the civil services examination.

The Delhi High Court will today hear her petition.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. It plays a crucial role in the recruitment of officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and several other Group A and Group B services. It is India’s premier central recruiting agency responsible for conducting examinations and selecting candidates for various civil services positions within the Indian government. In fact, the civil services exam is one of the most prestigious and challenging tests in the world. 

Notably, the other function of the UPSC includes giving advice on the quantum of punishment to be awarded to a deviant civil servant. In recent days, both the UPSC and the system of its recruitment have come under public criticism, thanks to incidents of abuse and misuse of quota by a few candidates. This has put into question the credibility of not only the examination process but also of the UPSC as an institution.

The UPSC examination system, pattern and process have often been called outdated. Going from preliminary exams to the final result of the interview round takes almost a year. The curriculum and exam pattern, which has remained unchanged for decades now, don’t align with the needs of governance and public administration in today’s world. Even the syllabus is criticised for not reflecting contemporary realities. This mismatch creates a gap between the skills required in today’s world and what the examination actually tests.

Another significant criticism of the UPSC examination is its tendency to promote a culture of rote learning. The UPSC’s heavy reliance on factual knowledge has led to the rise of “crammers”, that is, candidates who excel in memorising information but may lack deeper understanding, critical thinking abilities, creativity and a spirit of innovation. This leads to the selection of individuals who are less suited to the dynamic and complex nature of public administration. If you are very good at cramming facts and vomiting them on page on the day of the exam, you have got yourself a qualification for the mains.

That’s not all. The unpredictability of the UPSC exams, particularly the prelims test, adds to the stress and uncertainty faced by aspirants. Questions can vary widely in difficulty and scope, making it challenging for candidates to prepare effectively. This often benefits those who are better at guessing rather than those who possess a deep understanding of subjects.

Lack of transparency in the evaluation process is also a concern. Candidates have limited access to their answer sheets and don’t know the rationale behind the scores they are awarded. This opacity fuels suspicion about the fairness of the evaluation process. 

Even though the selection process is rigorous, the UPSC has been criticised for failing to produce competent and effective officers consistently. The need for reform is evident. Changes should aim to foster creativity, transparency, and a genuine understanding of the complexities of public service, ensuring that the best and brightest are selected to serve the nation. Such reforms would include measures to assess practical skills, such as case studies, simulations, and problem-solving exercises. It is also suggested that candidates be given access to their answer sheets and a detailed breakdown of scores. This can include explanations for marks awarded, helping candidates understand their performance and identify areas that need improvement.

The current system also does not adequately assess candidates’ personality traits and soft skills. Thus, there’s a need to enhance the Personality Test (interview round) and include methods that can assess leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. Dedicated sections on ethics, integrity, and governance in the examination and personality test can help promote a culture of ethical public service and ensure that the selected candidates have a strong moral compass. And, the interview board must include a jury comprising the common public too, as it is they who are the ‘end-sufferers’ in this system.

Systemically, the UPSC, though an independent constitutional body responsible for the recruitment of all central civil service. This should not be the case; the members must include representation from all services. As an extension of this, the marks awarded during training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Of Administration (LBSNAA) should also be considered so as to ascertain the suitability of a candidate for a particular job.

Finally, one of the most neglected duties of the UPSC – giving advice about the nature and quantum of punishment for a deviant civil servant – should be discharged in a timely manner. The UPSC is slow, tardy and status quoist in its approach. We need a faster, more transparent and clearer procedure so that erring bureaucrats are given appropriate punishments.

 It’s time to revive the lost faith in this sacred institution.  

(The author is a Delhi-based columnist and commentator) 

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

New Delhi:

At least three students were killed after they were trapped for over four hours when water suddenly gushed into the basement of a popular coaching centre in Delhi on Saturday.

The three victims have been identified as Tania Soni, Shreya Yadav, both aged 25, and Navin Delvin, 28, from Kerala.

They were all preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

Visuals from West Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar showed the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle completely flooded on Saturday evening. 

Fire brigade officials said they received a call about students being stuck in the basement at 7.19 pm and five fire engines were dispatched to assist in rescue operations. 

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was also called in to assist in the rescue operation.

Officials said a drain had exploded, leading to the basement’s flooding.

The bodies of two female students were pulled out hours after the rescue operation began, while the body of the third student was recovered later into the night.

What May Have Led To Flooding 

Preliminary investigation suggests that the basement housed a library – with a seating capacity of about 150 people – where several students were present when water suddenly entered. 

The investigation has revealed that the coaching centre was built in a street that was on a slope, one of the reasons why water after heavy rain may have reached the institute so quickly. The water flow also reportedly broke the basement door.

ALSO READ | ‘Murder’: BJP Blames Delhi Government For Death Of 3 After Flooding

It is also being probed whether the flooding was caused due to the overflow of the sewer drain on the street.

According to a police officer, the furniture in the institute started floating when it was flooded, creating an obstruction in the rescue operation.

The tragic incident comes days after a UPSC aspirant was electrocuted while trying to cross a waterlogged street in Patel Nagar, which is also in West Delhi. 

New Delhi:

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, mired in controversy over alleged misuse of power, said today the law will take its course. In her first reaction on the matter, the 34-year-old said,  “Now the judiciary will take its course. Whatever questions there are, I will respond to them. I am coming back and and will give you the byte.”

The Union Public Service Commission has started the process that may lead to cancellation of the selection of the trainee officer, who is being investigated for lying about visual and mental disabilities. She has also allegedly faked her identity and changed the names of her parents to clear the Civil Services entrance exam.

The UPSC has sent a show-cause notice asking Ms Khedkar why her candidature should not be cancelled. Its action will depend on her reply.

The Delhi Police has filed a case that includes charges of forgery, under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and IT Act.

New Delhi:

 Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal has said that 5-8 years of preparation for civil services examination by lakhs of students is a ‘waste of youthful energy’.

Mr Sanyal said one should only attempt UPSC or other such examinations if one wants to become an administrator.

“As mentioned, it (is) perfectly fine to attempt the UPSC or other such exams, but only if the person wants to be an administrator.

“The problem is that lakhs of people are spending 5-8 years repeatedly doing this exam as a ‘way of life’. This is such a waste of youthful energy,” he said in a series of posts on social media platform X.

Mr Sanyal further said it may come as a surprise, but his view is shared by most bureaucrats, who cleared the exam at some point.

“An attempt or two is fine for those who really want this path, but spending your entire 20s for it…is unhealthy,” he said.

The economist pointed out that an entire industry “indeed entire cities like Kota” is dedicated to taking an exam where less than 1 per cent of applicants will succeed.

“And this is (happening) every year. Imagine this huge effort being directed at other fields,” he said.

UPSC conducts the civil services examination every year in three stages – preliminary, mains and personality test (interview) – to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday postponed the civil services preliminary examination to June 16 from May 26 due to the Lok Sabha elections.

The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

“Due to the schedule of the impending general election, the commission has decided to postpone the civil services (preliminary) examination-2024 which also serves as a screening test for the Indian Forest Service examination, 2024, from 26-05-2024 to 16-06-2024,” it said.

EXAMINATION NOTICE No. 05/2024 CSP

Re-scheduling of CS(P)-IFoS(P) Examination, 2024

Details : https://t.co/fgXX8mm5ot#UPSC@PIB_Indiahttps://t.co/Aa2RV2agNz

— Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (@upsc_official) March 19, 2024

The number of vacancies to be filled through this year’s examination is expected to be approximately 1,056, according to a UPSC notification issued last month.

The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes will be on June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Cracking the UPSC Civil Services exam remains a coveted goal for many in India, and IAS officer Sonal Goel has shared her UPSC marksheet to inspire and motivate people “to believe in their abilities”. Ms Goel, who cracked the UPSC Civil Services exam in 2008, recounted her initial setback in 2007 when she fell short of qualifying for the interview stage due to low marks in General Studies papers.

“However, this setback fueled my determination to leave no stone unturned in achieving my goal,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday and emphasised the importance of dedication and relentless effort.

“I then devoted myself entirely to mastering the General Studies paper and improving at other aspects of Mains emphasising on Notes making, repeated revisions and #AnswerWriting. I poured my heart and soul into every aspect of the syllabus , alongwith pursuing my LLB from Delhi University and doing a part time job as CS – Company Secretary.

“In my second attempt, I not only cleared the exam but also achieved the highest marks in General Studies compared to my optional subjects—Commerce and Public Administration,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Ms Goel conveyed a valuable lesson for aspirants, stating, “It’s a reminder that with dedication and relentless effort, no obstacle is insurmountable.”

Encouraging aspirants to learn from setbacks, she urged them to view every failure as an opportunity for learning, improvisation, and ultimate triumph.

“Believe in your abilities, pursue your goals with passion, and never lose sight of your dreams. It is through perseverance that greatness is achieved,” the IAS officer wrote.

Along with the long note and a picture of her marksheet, Ms Goel said, “Nostalgic moment as I came across my #UPSC Civil Services 2007 #Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection.”

Nostalgic moment as I came across my #UPSC Civil Services 2007 #Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection in #May2008 Results ????????

I just want to share with the aspirants that in my first attempt, I fell short of getting an Interview call… pic.twitter.com/9VY8k6sFqQ

— Sonal Goel IAS ???????? (@sonalgoelias) February 21, 2024

The post has garnered instant attention online, resonating with aspirants from various backgrounds.

A user commented, “Congratulations. Very nice and motivating for all UPSC aspirants specially students taking Commerce and Law as their educational curriculum.”

Congratulations. Very nice and motivating for all UPSC aspirants specially students taking Commerce and Law as their educational curriculum. Can you please share your complete educational qualification which I think will further encourage aspirants.

— ratnesh nandkeolyar (@ratnesh_123) February 21, 2024

Another wrote, “Great to see. Currently children don’t have many role models and are worshipping/following “self serving only” individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start!”

Gr8 to see. Currently children dont have many role models and are worshipping/following “self serving only” individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start!

— San_Jeev (@Sanjeevuniverse) February 23, 2024

Sonal Goel’s story serves as a powerful reminder that with self-belief and hard work, individuals can overcome challenges.