1. The Misuse of Disability Quota: Pooja Khedkar
Maharashtra cadre trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar has recently made headlines due to allegations of misuse of the disability quota. An investigation has revealed that she obtained her government job using a fraudulent disability certificate. This controversy highlights concerns about the integrity of the recruitment process and the misuse of reservation policies intended to benefit genuinely eligible candidates.
2. Kartik Kansal: A Remarkable UPSC Journey
In stark contrast, Kartik Kansal’s story brings attention to both perseverance and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. An IIT Roorkee mechanical engineering graduate and current ISRO scientist, Kansal has made an extraordinary achievement by passing the UPSC exam four times. Despite his condition—muscular dystrophy, which has confined him to a wheelchair since he was 14—he has demonstrated remarkable resilience and capability.
Details of Kartik Kansal’s UPSC Journey:
- 2019 UPSC Exam: Secured 813th rank.
- 2021 UPSC Exam: Achieved 271st rank, which made him eligible for the IAS post, but was not appointed due to muscular dystrophy being omitted from the IAS’s functional classification eligibility list that year.
- 2022 UPSC Exam: Ranked 784th.
- 2023 UPSC Exam: Secured 829th rank.
Despite his high ranks, Kartik Kansal faced systemic barriers. In 2021, his condition was not included in the IAS’s functional classification, affecting his appointment. Similarly, his second and third options, such as the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Excise) and Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group A lists, also did not consider muscular dystrophy.
In 2019, Kansal’s rank of 813th placed him near the cutoff for positions reserved for persons with locomotor impairments. However, due to procedural oversights and the limited number of slots available, he was overlooked. In 2021, only four of seven available slots for locomotor disabilities were filled, yet Kansal was not among those appointed despite being a strong contender in the category.
Key Takeaways:
- Pooja Khedkar’s Case: Raises questions about the effectiveness of verification processes and the need for stricter measures to prevent misuse of reservation policies.
- Kartik Kansal’s Story: Showcases the challenges faced by disabled candidates in accessing competitive positions and highlights the need for more inclusive policies and clear functional classifications.
Both stories underscore the importance of ensuring fairness and integrity in competitive exams and recruitment processes, as well as the need for policies that adequately support and recognize the achievements of individuals with disabilities.
