Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra, has found herself amidst controversy due to allegations of misuse of power. Recently transferred from Pune to Washim, she drew attention for using a private Audi car equipped with a siren and VIP number plate, privileges typically reserved for senior officials.
PUJA KHEDKAR BIRTHDATE, AGE, FAMILY, BIRTH SIGN, NATIONALITY, CASTE AND GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND/WIFE/HUSBAND, KIDS
There is no information about her private life.
THE CONTROVERSY
Puja Khedkar belongs to the 2023 batch of IAS officers, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 841 in the UPSC exam. Hailing from a family dedicated to public service, her father, Dilip Khedkar, is a retired administrative officer. Despite her promising career start, her actions have placed her in the spotlight for contentious reasons.
Puja Khedkar’s use of a private Audi with government markings and special lights in Pune sparked the controversy. Even before assuming her role as an assistant collector, she reportedly demanded official perks such as a VIP number plate, housing, an office with staff, and police escort—privileges not accorded to trainee officers. Allegations surfaced that her father, leveraging his former position, pressured authorities to fulfill these requests, extending to instances like allegedly replacing a senior officer’s nameplate in Pune.
These actions were deemed inappropriate and led to her transfer to Washim, where she will continue training until July 30, 2025, per an order from the Pune District Collector to the Chief Secretary.
ADDITIONAL ISSUES
Puja Khedkar claimed to belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which has income criteria for non-creamy layer certification. However, discrepancies arose as her father’s financial disclosures raised questions about her eligibility. Moreover, she asserted having disabilities during her UPSC exam but did not disclose specifics, later skipping medical examinations despite court directives.
CONCLUSION
Puja Khedkar’s brief tenure has been marked by controversy, highlighting issues of entitlement and misuse of authority. Her case underscores challenges in administrative transparency and adherence to regulations within the civil services.
