Centre revises UPSC rules after Puja Khedkar controversy
Mandatory submission of certificates at preliminary stage
New Felhi: The Union government has amended the rules for the 2025 Civil Services Examination, making it mandatory for aspirants to upload educational, caste, and disability certificates during the preliminary exam stage. Previously, these documents were required only after qualifying for the mains examination.
The new rules come in the wake of the controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer accused of fraudulently clearing the exam by misusing the OBC quota and falsely claiming disabilities. Her selection was revoked, and she was permanently barred from all UPSC examinations in September 2024.
The Ministry of Personnel stated that candidates failing to provide the necessary documents with their applications would have their candidature cancelled. Additionally, candidates will now have a 10-day window after preliminary results to specify cadre preferences and a 15-day period after mains results to update qualifications.
To prevent malpractices, UPSC plans to introduce technological measures such as Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, facial recognition, and security camera surveillance during exams.
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Allahabad HC dismisses petition seeking permission to mount loudspeaker on mosque
Prayagraj, Jan 24 (PTI): The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition seeking direction to the state authorities to permit the mounting of loudspeakers on a Masjid.
The court observed that the religious places were for offering prayers, therefore the use of loudspeakers was not a matter of right.
Dismissing the writ petition filed by Pilibhit-resident Mukhtiyar Ahmad, a two judge-bench, comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh, observed, "Religious places are for offering prayers to the divinity and use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a matter of right, particularly when often such use of loudspeakers create nuisance for the residents".
At the outset, the state counsel objected to the maintainability of the writ on the grounds that the petitioner was neither a mutawalli, nor did the mosque belong to him.
The court also noted that the petitioner did not have locus to file the writ petition.
The term 'locus' is a legal concept that refers to the right of a person or entity to participate in a legal proceeding or bring a lawsuit.
