Puja Khedkar Controversy: Is It A Scam Or UPSC’s Systemic Failure?. Tainted probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s case has hit hard at the heart of India’s administrative integrity – the UPSC Scam. Every year hundreds of thousands of students vying for a prestigious government job attempt competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
But now the integrity of the institution is being questioned. There is confusion, anger and disbelief that the rich get away with bribery, and corruption, while the poor and the struggling middle-class population have to bear the brunt of it all.
Puja Khedekar’s case has shaken the foundations of meritocracy and fairness in the UPSC civil services recruitment process. This case has rang alarm bells across India, scrutinizing bureaucracy, and policymakers.
In India, every youth dreams of cracking the UPSC exams to garner prestige and respect for their families. Cracking UPSC exams means job security, diverse career opportunities, the power to make a difference, and most importantly, financial stability. UPSC also makes great leaders.
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However, UPSC has been riddled with misuse, bribery and corruption. Jobs are for sale. As it comes with a hefty price tag of thousands and even lakhs of rupees, only the rich can afford to pay the corrupted officer for the job.
So, who will be held accountable – the government the officers in charge, or the ones who pay the bribe? This puts the credibility of the institute in doubt, and those who are working as civil servants or officers selected on merit and competence.
Is UPSC Corrupted?
The Puja Khedekar case exposed a dark reality – there’s a corrupted circle within the UPSC that takes bribes, leaks question papers and colludes between candidates and insiders. This raises questions about transparency and accountability within the government and the institute.
Moreover, UPSC chairman Manoj Soni’s resignation at such a crucial time has raised eyebrows and criticism. Despite his stepping down from the position for personal reasons, it cannot be helped but draw connections between the UPSC scam and the resignation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge rightly said that multiple scandals have plagued the UPSC. He highlighted that there is a direct affront to the genuine aspirations of lakhs of aspirants, including SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates who work hard, and study for hours throughout the night preparing for the civil services examinations.
There’s clearly a network of intermediaries at work, facilitating the leak of question papers to ‘select candidates’. The persons are operating with impunity, exploiting loopholes in the examination system and taking advantage of personal connections higher up in the hierarchy to depose the merit-based selection process.
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This scandal has been ongoing for years, even decades spotlighting the systemic vulnerabilities that are being exploited for personal gain at the expense of genuine, hardworking candidates.
Rebuild UPSC Image
It has eroded the integrity of the UPSC, and the institute’s prestige and questions the roles of officers and ministers who have allowed this to happen. The UPSC is now tarnished by corruption. Its imparity and fairness swept underneath the dusty carpet, and cash stashed into bank accounts, and properties.
The government should set up an independent committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. Culprits should be brought forth and systemic vulnerabilities strengthened. The UPSC needs an overhaul and the selection process revamped for the benefit of hard-working, honest candidates.
The government should promote transparency and accountability, and strengthen safeguards against misuse and malpractice to rebuild trust in the institution.
