UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni Resigns Early Citing ‘Personal Reasons’
New Delhi, 20th July 2024: Manoj Soni, who has been serving as the chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has resigned from his position, stepping down five years before the end of his term. In his resignation letter, Soni cited “personal reasons” for his decision.
Soni submitted his resignation about two weeks ago, though it has not yet been officially accepted. Sources indicate that his resignation is unrelated to recent controversies involving the UPSC, including the case of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar.
Soni began his term as UPSC chairman on May 16, 2023, with his tenure originally set to conclude on May 15, 2029. Despite this, he has opted to resign early, expressing a desire to focus on “socio-religious activities.” Initially, Soni had shown reluctance towards assuming the role but was not granted an early release at the time.
Before his UPSC appointment, Soni held the position of Vice Chancellor at several universities, including The Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) of Baroda, where he became the youngest Vice Chancellor in India.
His resignation occurs amidst ongoing scrutiny involving a criminal case against trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar and her relatives. Khedkar is accused of falsifying her identity to secure additional attempts in the Public Service Commission examinations. Her transfer from Pune, before completing her training, and subsequent allegations have led to increased public and social media attention. Users have also raised concerns about the authenticity of certificates used by some IAS and IPS officers, calling for further investigation.
