IAS Pooja Khedkar’s Disability Dispute: Only 7% Verified, 40% Required for Quota
Controversies Surrounding Trainee IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar’s Selection in UPSC
Disability Certificate Issue
A disability certificate for trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar has emerged amidst the ongoing controversy regarding her selection in UPSC. Issued on August 24, 2022, by Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital, Pune, the certificate classifies her as having a 7% disability.
According to UPSC regulations, a minimum of 40% disability is required for selection under the disability quota. YCM Dean Rajendra Wable stated on July 16 that a 7% disability indicates no significant impairment. Pooja’s case pertains to locomotor disability, meaning difficulty in walking.
The Pune Disability Commissioner’s Office has instructed the police to investigate the certificate presented by Pooja Khedkar. It was also noted that she provided a false address on the certificate.
Four Controversies Related to the Disability Certificate
- False Address: The disability certificate lists Pooja Khedkar’s address as “Plot No. 53, Dehu Alandi Road, Talawade, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune,” which is actually a factory named Thermoverta Engineering Company and not a residential house. The Audi car seized was registered in the name of this company.
- Mandatory Documents: Government rules mandate the use of an Aadhaar card for issuing a disability certificate, but Pooja’s certificate included a ration card instead.
- Multiple Certificates: After her selection through the disability quota, several of Pooja’s disability certificates surfaced. She submitted two disability certificates issued by Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital to UPSC in 2018 and 2021.
- Medical Appointment Manipulation: Pooja took several appointments for medical examination in Delhi to confirm her disability certificate but eventually submitted a report from a private hospital to UPSC.
Allegations of Manipulation in Name and Age
Further revelations have surfaced in Pooja Khedkar’s UPSC irregularity case. It has come to light that she altered her name and age to increase her attempts at UPSC exams. In two petitions filed by her in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for 2020 and 2023, her names are different.
- In the 2020 petition, she mentioned her name as “Khedkar Pooja Diliprao” and her age as 30 years.
- In the 2023 petition, her name is stated as “Pooja Manorama Dilip Khedkar” and her age as 31 years.
Questions have been raised about how her age increased by only one year over a span of three years.
In UPSC, general category candidates are allowed to attempt the exam six times until the age of 32. OBC category candidates can attempt it nine times until the age of 35. Sources indicate that Pooja has attempted the civil services exam a total of 11 times.
Pooja Filed a Case Against the Pune Collector
On July 16, Pooja Khedkar lodged a harassment complaint against Pune Collector Suhas Divase. Following her involvement in the controversies, the Pune Collector transferred her to Washim and canceled her training. Pooja has been instructed to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie by July 23, where she will stay until the investigation is completed.
Committee Led by Additional Secretary to Submit Investigation Report in 2 Weeks
Pooja is accused of misusing the OBC and disability quota for her selection in UPSC. The central government has also initiated an investigation into this matter. On July 11, the central government formed a single-member committee to scrutinize Pooja Khedkar’s candidacy.
In a statement, the central government said that the investigation is being conducted by an officer of the rank of Additional Secretary. The purpose is to verify the claims and other details of the 2023 batch officer, Khedkar. The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
When Pooja was asked about the committee formed for her investigation, she declined to comment. Pooja stated, “I am not at liberty to say anything about this matter. I will present my case before the committee.”
