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After Puja Khedkar case, UPSC to verify candidate certificates through DigiLocker to curb cheating, misuse: Chairman

UPSC DigiLocker certificates, Puja Khedkar case: Taking questions at a virtual town hall, Ajay Kumar says move aims to ensure authenticity of caste, disability and income certificates submitted by candidates

Former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, accused of misusing disability and OBC certificates (Instagram/dr_pujamdk_ias)

Reacting to concerns about cheating in exams and fake certificates, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairman Ajay Kumar Wednesday said the recruitment body would start accepting candidates’ certificates through DigiLocker to ensure their authenticity.

In a first, Kumar addressed a virtual town hall broadcast by Doordarshan on Wednesday, taking questions from aspirants sent via email and posted on social media, as the commission kicked off its centenary celebrations Wednesday.

Asked about cheating in exams and the case of former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, who is accused of misusing disability and OBC certificates for appearing in the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Kumar said: “We are very clear on this. We have absolutely zero tolerance to cheating.” He said candidates caught cheating in exams were suspended for at least three years and in the case of criminal cheating, legal action was taken too.

Read | Why does UPSC not share answer keys, OMR sheets immediately after prelims? UPSC Chairman answers

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

On the issue of fake certificates, Kumar said the UPSC will soon start taking certificates through DigiLocker, the government’s cloud-based document storage and verification platform. Candidates submit a range of certificates, including on caste, benchmark disability and income for availing reservation in various categories.

“Many times questions arise whether the certificates submitted have been issued by the issuing authority or not. We are going to soon start taking these certificates through DigiLocker so that the authenticity is maintained,” he said.

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Khedkar, who was selected in the CSE 2022, was accused of appearing for the exam though the permitted nine attempts were over. She was allegedly able to do so as she changed her own and her parents’ names to appear as a different candidate. UPSC had in 2024 cancelled her candidature for the 2022 CSE and debarred her from appearing for exams in the future. The Department of Personnel and Training discharged her from the IAS after finding her ineligible to be a candidate in 2022. She denies the charge and is contesting the decision in court.

In the hour-long session, Kumar answered candidates’ questions on a range of issues, including on topics of age limit and number of attempts being changed. There was no such proposal before the UPSC, he said. Asked if candidates with an engineering background had an advantage, Kumar said the questions were evenly balanced between language, quantitative and logic portions, and highlighted that the majority of engineering students selected in UPSC opt for humanities subjects for the exam.

Responding to aspirants’ concern over alleged discrimination based on background, he said the UPSC was neutral. “About 80-90% of the selected candidates come from Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas,” he said, when asked if candidates from urban areas were given preference.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More