Dismissed Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Cancelled

Pune/Nashik, 24th July 2025: Former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has filed an appeal before the Maharashtra Department of Other Backward Class (OBC) Welfare, challenging the Nashik divisional commissioner’s decision to revoke her non-creamy layer certificate.

An official from the office of Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam confirmed that the certificate was annulled over a month ago after an internal inquiry revealed that “inaccurate and misleading information” had allegedly been submitted to obtain the document.

“The decision to cancel the certificate was made based on verification findings and all concerned authorities have been notified accordingly,” said the officer, requesting anonymity due to administrative protocol.

Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, confirmed that the family has initiated an appeal. “We believe the divisional commissioner’s order was influenced by external pressure. We are confident in our case and will present the facts before the OBC welfare department,” he said. He also clarified that “Puja’s IAS appointment was not secured under the OBC category.”

The appeal now lies with the state’s OBC department, which will review the case before arriving at a final decision.