UPSC: Issues around alleged misuse of disability II VYGR

Following recent controversies, the topic of reservation benefits and its exploitation, in India's prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has come under scrutiny. The first person to be accused of misusing reservation benefits was Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer. According to reports, it's possible that she availed benefits for both the Person with Disability (Pwd) category and the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota.

Another IAS officer under scrutiny

Outrage over this has increased concerns about the impartiality of the selection process and possible abuse of reservation that is meant for marginalized communities. Following Puja Khedkar, another former IAS official has been the subject of criticism following his viral dancing and gym videos on social media, which has raised doubts about his disability claim.

On social media, Abhishek Singh, an IAS officer from the 2011 batch who resigned last year to pursue acting, is receiving major backlash. It's crucial to remember that Singh used his alleged locomotor disability to qualify for accommodations during the UPSC selection process. In the comments on his videos, several social media users have demanded accountability as well as transparency in the bureaucratic selection process.

Persons with Disabilities

The term 'Person with Disability' (PwD) refers to people who have chronic physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that, when combined with other obstacles, may make it difficult for them to fully and equally participate in society. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRP) and other international norms are in line with it. To provide equal chances in public employment, a reservation policy for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is included in the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. This policy complies with the Government of India's guidelines on PwD reservations as well as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

UPSC's disability quota

The UPSC stipulates a minimum disability (40%) needed to qualify for reservation benefits for each kind of impairment. To be eligible for reservation under the PwD category, candidates must have a current disability certificate issued by an authorized body. Applicants for the UPSC Prelims exam must obtain a disability certificate before the registration deadline.

The State or Central Government-established Medical Board is the one issuing this certificate. A minimum of three members are required for the Medical Board, with one member needing to be an expert in a particular disability category, such as hearing, vision, or locomotor impairments. This certificate is a requirement that candidates must submit with their application. PwD candidates also undergo a medical evaluation to verify their suitability for the assigned service.

Alleged forged documents

Puja Khedkar is being investigated for allegedly obtaining her job by falsifying her OBC and handicap papers. Manoj Dwivedi, the DoPT additional secretary, will chair a panel that will review the legitimacy of her documents and assess whether appropriate vetting was carried out. If she is found guilty, she might be fired.

Inputs: Agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies