PMO Requests Report on IAS Officer Puja Khedkar's Controversies

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked for a detailed report from the Pune district collector concerning IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who has recently been transferred from Pune to Washim amid multiple allegations. Khedkar, a 32-year-old IAS officer from the 2023 batch, has been accused of misuse of benefits under the physical disabilities category and the OBC quota to secure her position in the Indian Administrative Services.

Khedkar’s transfer followed a request from Pune district collector Suhas Diwase to the additional chief secretary Nitin Gadre to avoid administrative complications. On Monday evening, her transfer was confirmed, but the controversy deepened when it was revealed that Khedkar allegedly misused the system to gain her IAS posting.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LSBNAA), responsible for training civil service candidates, has also sought a report from the state government regarding Khedkar's actions that led to her transfer. According to sources, Khedkar had a contentious interaction with Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, further escalating the situation.

Despite the transfer order, Khedkar has not reported to her new post in Washim, as confirmed by Washim district collector Buveneswari S. Social media has been abuzz with images of Khedkar and her luxury car, fueling further public scrutiny over her actions.

Khedkar's career trajectory has been marked by controversy. She secured her IAS position with an All India Rank of 821 under the OBC and PWBD categories. However, discrepancies were noted in her application, particularly regarding the OBC category, where her declared family income exceeded the permissible limit. Her father, a retired senior officer, declared an income significantly higher than the ₹8 lakh cap for the OBC creamy layer.

Khedkar's father unsuccessfully contested the recent Lok Sabha elections, and both he and Khedkar have remained unresponsive to inquiries. Additionally, Khedkar claimed estrangement from her parents in a mock interview, yet her father was present during her official duties in Pune, raising further questions about her claims.

Further complications arose when Khedkar failed to attend multiple medical examinations required to verify her disability status, prompting the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to report her non-compliance to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT). Despite these issues, Khedkar managed to secure her IAS posting, leading to calls for a thorough investigation into her selection process.

Legal battles have also surrounded Khedkar, with her counsel arguing for disability reservations based on mental health conditions, which was ultimately challenged and taken to higher courts.

As the scrutiny over Khedkar's selection and conduct intensifies, there are growing demands for a comprehensive probe by the UPSC and government authorities to ensure transparency and integrity in the civil services selection process.