After Puja Khedkar, Ex-IAS Abhishek Singh Faces Scrutiny Over Disability Claim

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In the midst of the controversy surrounding trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s alleged submission of fake disability certificates, another former bureaucrat, Abhishek Singh, has come under fire for his selection under the disabled category by the UPSC. Abhishek Singh, a 2011 batch IAS officer who resigned from his position last year to pursue a career in acting, is facing backlash after videos of him dancing and working out in the gym went viral on social media platforms.

During the UPSC selection process, Abhishek Singh claimed to have a locomotor disability to avail concessions. In response to the allegations, Singh took to social media to address the criticism, stating that he is being targeted for his support of reservations. He emphasized that his achievements have been the result of hard work and courage, not through reservation benefits.

Singh defended himself by highlighting his social initiatives like United by Blood and the No-Shame Movement, which he carried out without government assistance. He advocated for reservation in government jobs to be based on population demographics. Singh encouraged individuals with talent to pursue fields like business, sports, or acting, where there is no reservation system, and to excel in those areas.

Puja Khedkar, the 2023-batch IAS officer who previously drew controversy for using a siren on her private Audi and making demands for privileges beyond her rank, now faces more severe accusations. She claimed to be visually and mentally impaired in her affidavit submitted to the UPSC but declined mandatory medical tests to verify her conditions. The Centre has initiated an investigation, and if found guilty, Khedkar may face dismissal and potential criminal charges for concealing facts and misrepresenting information.

The scrutiny over the selection process for bureaucrats under disability criteria has intensified with the cases of Puja Khedkar and Abhishek Singh. Social media users are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the bureaucratic selection process, raising important questions about the integrity of the system.