A recent controversy involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar and former bureaucrat Abhishek Singh has intensified scrutiny over the selection process for bureaucrats under disability criteria. Khedkar is accused of submitting fake disability certificates, while Singh’s gym and dance videos have raised questions about his claimed locomotor disability.
Puja Khedkar’s case has already ignited a debate about the integrity of the disability selection process. In a new twist, videos of Abhishek Singh, a 2011 batch IAS officer turned actor, have gone viral. Singh, who utilized disability concessions during the UPSC selection, is now facing backlash as social media users demand greater transparency and accountability in the selection of bureaucrats under disability criteria.
One user, @AdityaGoswami_, shared a video of Singh lifting weights in the gym, captioning it, “2010 batch IAS Abhishek Singh misused the PwD quota by claiming a locomotor disability. Clearly, he’s not suffering from any such disability.”
In response to the criticism, Singh defended himself on X (formerly Twitter), attributing the backlash to his support for reservations. “Though criticism doesn’t affect me, I’m addressing it this time because my supporters urged me to. Ever since I backed reservations, anti-reservationists have targeted me, questioning my caste and job. I’ve achieved everything through hard work and courage, not through reservation,” Singh asserted.
Singh also highlighted his social initiatives such as United by Blood and the No-Shame Movement, emphasizing that his efforts were independent of government support. “I believe reservation in government jobs should reflect the population, and I will advocate for that. If you believe in your talent, pursue excellence in business, sports, or acting—fields where there is no reservation,” he added, underscoring his reliance on talent, confidence, and courage.
Meanwhile, Khedkar’s previous controversies, including using a siren on her private Audi and demanding privileges beyond her rank, have been overshadowed by the current allegations. Khedkar reportedly claimed visual and mental impairments in her affidavit to the UPSC but avoided mandatory medical verification. In response, the Centre has initiated a one-member committee to investigate the claims against Khedkar. If found guilty, she may face dismissal and potential criminal charges for hiding facts and misrepresentation.
The emerging cases of Khedkar and Singh have prompted widespread calls for reforms in the bureaucratic selection process, with an emphasis on ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly regarding disability claims.
