Probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Got Non-Creamy Layer Certificate From Pathardi For MBBS Admission Under NT-3 Reservation Quota

Pune, 14th July 2024: Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar is currently embroiled in controversy regarding the legitimacy of her certificates. In 2007, Khedkar secured admission to Pune’s Shrimati Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital under the reserved nomadic tribe-3 (NT-3) category, presenting a non-creamy layer OBC certificate. This information was confirmed by the college director, Arvind Bhore.

Khedkar gained admission through the entrance examination conducted by the Association of Management of Unaided Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Maharashtra (AMUPMDC), scoring 146 out of 200 in the test. Bhore noted that the AMUPMDC has since ceased operations following the introduction of NEET.

Currently, Khedkar is under multiple investigations for submitting a non-creamy layer certificate to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), despite owning properties valued at least ₹17 crore, including assets gifted by her family. Additionally, her selection under the benchmark disabilities category is also being scrutinized.

Reflecting on Khedkar’s admission, Bhore mentioned, “It was the medical college’s first batch when Khedkar joined.” He added that she had also attempted the Maharashtra common entrance test for medical admissions. “However, her AMUPMDC score was higher than her state CET score. She provided a non-creamy layer certificate of the NT-3 category from the Vanjari community at the time of admission. We verified all the documents at submission, and they were authentic government records,” Bhore said.

Khedkar’s non-creamy layer certificate was issued by the Pathardi sub-divisional office in Ahmednagar in 2007. Her caste and validity certificates were also issued by the same office, as confirmed by the college records. Bhore also stated that Khedkar did not submit any disability certificate at the time of admission.

According to college records, Khedkar achieved 83% in her Class 10 exams and 74% in her Class 12 state board exams. She completed her MBBS degree in 2011-12 after finishing her academics and internship at Navale College and Hospital. During her internship, she was stationed at the community medicine department under supervision.

“Her conduct was satisfactory, and she passed all her semesters without issues. She also completed her internship at the hospital on time,” Bhore concluded.