IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s MBBS Admission Under OBC Quota Revealed

An investigation has revealed that Indian Administrative Services (IAS) probationary officer Puja Khedkar secured admission for her MBBS degree under the Other Backward Community (OBC) quota back in 2007. Puja Khedkar, daughter of former Maharashtra government IAS officer Dilip Khedkar, utilized the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 category, which is specifically reserved for the Vanjari community, her ethnic group, to gain entry into Pune‘s Kashibai Navale Medical College.

According to sources, Puja Khedkar’s performance on the entrance examination earned her a spot in the 2011-2012 MBBS batch with a score of 146 out of 200. Her impressive marks ensured that her Common Entrance Test (CET) scores were not taken into account during the admission process, as per college records accessed by India Today TV. Furthermore, the records indicate that Puja Khedkar achieved 83% and 74% in her Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, respectively.

Recently, Puja Khedkar’s appointment as an IAS officer has been marred by controversy. She was relocated from Pune to Washim following allegations of power misuse. The Pune District Collector’s report to the Chief Secretary highlighted her demands for special treatment, including a separate accommodation, vehicle, and additional staff prior to assuming the role of Assistant Collector in Pune. These demands were deemed unusual for a probationary officer.

Furthermore, questions have arisen about Puja Khedkar’s OBC status and disability claims. Documentation revealed that her family’s wealth amounted to approximately Rs 60 crore. Her assertion of visual impairment during the UPSC evaluation process is also under scrutiny, particularly as she evaded mandatory medical assessments at AIIMS multiple times, opting for a private MRI report instead.

Puja Khedkar made headlines after being spotted using red and blue beacon lights on her personal Audi while displaying a government sign indicating her association with the Maharashtra government. Moreover, allegations suggest that she interfered in police affairs by pressuring a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to release an individual detained in connection with a theft case.

Consequently, the Centre initiated an inquiry into the accusations against Puja Khedkar by establishing a single-member committee. The investigation aims to address the various controversies surrounding her induction into the civil services and her conduct as a government official.