New Delhi, Sep 8: The central government has dismissed Puja Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, following the cancellation of her selection by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) over a month ago.

The dismissal, ordered on September 6, 2024, is based on Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, which allows for the discharge of probationers deemed ineligible for recruitment.

Khedkar, a trainee officer from the 2023 batch, faced allegations of cheating and misuse of quota benefits meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and persons with disabilities. She has denied these accusations.

The UPSC’s investigation revealed that Khedkar had exceeded the maximum number of attempts permitted for her claimed categories in civil services examinations from 2012 to 2022, making her ineligible for the 2022 exam through which she was selected.

The UPSC canceled her candidature on July 31, 2024, and barred her from future examinations. The central government’s action follows a summary inquiry, which found her ineligible for IAS recruitment under the provisions of Rule 12.

Additionally, Khedkar faces a criminal case filed by the Delhi Police in July for allegedly falsifying information.

She has requested a medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to address claims that one of her disability certificates may be forged. The Delhi High Court is currently handling her anticipatory bail plea related to the criminal case.