News Excerpt:

Recently the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has registered a criminal case against Puja Khedkar, a 2022 batch IAS officer on probation, and issued a show cause notice canceling her candidature from the Civil Services Examination-2022.

Reason for the decision of UPSC:

• The trainee officer had fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the examination rules by faking her identity by changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, photograph and signature, email ID, mobile number and address. 
• She has also allegedly submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam. 
• Following the controversy, the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) constituted a single-member committee to verify the candidature claims and other details of Ms. Khedkar. 

How are documents scrutinized by the UPSC?

• The UPSC conducts examinations and interviews on behalf of the Union Government after which candidates are recommended for appointment by the commission to various Services. 
• At the examination stage, candidates have to submit documents supporting their claims for reservation under various categories — SC, ST, OBCs, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and PwBD. 
• The first phase of scrutiny is done by the UPSC, which only goes by the documents submitted by the candidates. 
• After the personal interview, all candidates are sent for a medical check-up at government hospitals endorsed by the commission. 
• PwBD candidates have to appear before a medical board at AIIMS, Delhi to determine the level of disability. 
• The files are then sent to the DOPT, which accords the Service after accommodating various quotas.

What is the probation period of IAS officers?

• The probation period typically lasts two years, but it may be extended for a maximum of four years if the candidate needs improvement or has been unable to clear the examinations at the training academy. 
• According to DOPT, “A person is appointed on probation in order to assess his suitability for absorption in the Service to which he has been appointed. Probation should not, therefore, be treated as a mere formality.”

Conduct of Civil Servants:

• The conduct of civil servants is primarily regulated by the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954. 
• These rules outline the standards and expectations regarding the behavior and performance of officers serving in the Indian Administrative Service.

What disciplinary action can be taken against a probationer?

• A probationer can be discharged on account of failure to clear the examinations at the training academy or “if the Central Government is satisfied that the probationer was ineligible for recruitment to the Service or is unsuitable for being a member of the Service.” 
• The discharge can also be ordered if in the opinion of the Central Government he/she has wilfully neglected his probationary studies or duties or is found lacking in qualities of mind and character needed for the Service.