UPSC chairperson Manoj Soni resigns five years before end of term

New Delhi, July 20: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairperson Manoj Soni has resigned, citing “personal reasons.” This resignation comes almost five years before the end of his tenure in 2029. Sources informed The Ultimate Khabar that Soni’s decision is not connected to the controversy surrounding probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly submitted fraudulent disability and caste certificates to secure her selection.

Manoj Soni joined the UPSC, a constitutional body, in 2017 and took over as chairperson on May 16, 2023. The commission is responsible for conducting the civil services exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS, IPS, and IFS. According to sources, Soni submitted his resignation to the President about a month ago. However, it remains unclear if his resignation will be accepted.

Before his appointment to the UPSC, Soni served three terms as a vice-chancellor at two universities in Gujarat. He held two consecutive terms from 2009 to 2015 as the vice-chancellor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), Gujarat. Additionally, he served as the vice-chancellor of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda from 2005 to 2008, becoming the youngest VC in India during his tenure. With a specialization in international relations studies, Manoj Soni is a renowned scholar of political science.

The UPSC recently lodged a criminal case against Puja Khedkar for “misrepresenting and falsifying facts” while appearing for the civil services examination. The commission has issued her a show cause notice for the cancellation of her selection and debarment from future examinations. Following the UPSC complaint, Delhi Police registered a case involving charges of forgery and cheating.

“UPSC has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar for misrepresenting and falsifying facts to obtain extra attempts in the UPSC examinations, beyond the prescribed limit. Consequently, a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the law,” Delhi Police stated.