After Puja Khedkar case, UPSC to start verifying candidates’ documents using DigiLocker

Union Public Service Commission chairperson Ajay Kumar on Wednesday said that the agency plans to start accepting candidates’ certificates through DigiLocker, the government’s cloud-based platform for storing and verifying documents, to ensure their authenticity.

Kumar made the comments during an interview with Doordarshan in the context of concerns of examination malpractices and cases such as the one involving former Indian Administrative Service trainee Puja Khedkar.

“Questions often arise whether the certificates submitted have been issued by the issuing authority,” Kumar said. “We are going to soon start taking these certificates through DigiLocker so that the authenticity is maintained.”

When asked about the Khedkar case and action taken against candidates involved in cheating or submitting forged certificates, he said: “We are very clear on this. We have absolutely zero tolerance to cheating.”

He added that candidates caught cheating face suspension for at least three years and legal action is taken in cases of criminal cheating, The Indian Express reported.

“Puja Khedkar is facing action,” he noted. “The strictest possible action will be taken as per rules.”

In September last year, Khedkar was dismissed from the Indian Administrative Service after the Union Public Service Commission cancelled her selection. She was found to have wrongly availed of benefits meant for the Other Backward Classes and for persons with disabilities.

Khedkar has denied the allegations and has...

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