Page 5 - Civil Services

Cracking UPSC exam was her dream since childhood, says Tanya Soni's father

Tanya Soni, one of the three UPSC aspirants who died due to rain-induced flooding in the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi, had since her childhood dreamt of becoming a civil servant. Tanya's father Vijay Kumar told PTI that his daughter had been studying at the centre for the past one month after graduating in BA political science from a college in the national capital. "Tanya had completed her graduation in Delhi and was preparing for UPSC there. She had a lot of interest since her childhood (in cracking UPSC)," Vijay Kumar said, as he was on his way to take his daughter's body from Delhi to their native place in Bihar. He said the family was travelling in a train to Lucknow when they received the news about death of Tanya. "After getting information (about Tanya's death) we got down at Nagpur and took a flight to Delhi," he said. Kumar said Tanya's body has been handed over to them and "we are on the way to Bihar (where the last rites will be conducted)". Kumar has been .

Coaching centre deaths: Storm drains were covered by encroachers, says MCD

The storm drains built to carry away excess water due to heavy rains in the Old Rajendra Nagar area, where three civil services aspirants died after being trapped in the basement of a coaching institute, were covered by encroachers, a senior MCD official said on Sunday. The drainage system in the area was heavily clogged with silt and overflowed leading to a flood-like situation due to the rains that lashed parts of Delhi on Saturday, locals complained. Three civil services aspirants -- two females and a male -- lost their lives as they were trapped inside the library running in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle, which flooded due to rain and reportedly led to the failure of the single biometric entry and exit point. The police, however, said it is yet to confirm the biometric lock claim and will investigate it. Asked about reports of waterlogged drains in the area and if their de-silting was completed, the senior MCD officer directed PTI to the deputy commissioner of the zone

Delhi coaching centre deaths: Police detain protesting students near metro

A few students were detained after they staged a protest in Old Rajinder Nagar here on Sunday, demanding action against those responsible for the deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre in the area, and compensation for their families. Raising slogans "we want justice", the protestors blocked the road next to the Karol Bagh Metro Station, causing huge traffic snarls in the area and prompting police intervention. A scuffle erupted between the students and police, after which a few protestors were detained and taken away in a bus. Following this, many demonstrators dispersed from the area and police resumed the traffic movement there. The police also used body camera and drones to monitor protestors' activities during the demonstration. Shreya Yadav of Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala died after the basement of the building housing the coaching centre Rau's IAS Study Circle was flooded followi

Delhi coaching centre flooding: Police registers FIR, forms teams to probe

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR and formed multiple teams to probe the Rajinder Nagar coaching centre flooding incident which killed three IAS aspirants, officials said on Sunday. The police have arrested the owner and the coordinator of the Rau's IAS Study Circle and booked them for culpable homicide and under other charges. "Multiple teams have been formed to investigate the entire incident. We have asked the Delhi Fire Services to provide us report about the building and the basement which was being used as a library but mentioned as 'store room'," a senior police officer said. The officer further said the basement was eight-feet below the ground level and more than 18 students were present in it on Saturday evening when it got flooded after heavy rains. According to sources in the police department, the gate of the basement was closed, but due to high pressure of rain water, it got damaged and water gushed in. "We are checking CCTV footage from the area to ascertain the

Trump's lawyers urge NY appeals court to overturn civil fraud verdict

Fresh off victories in other legal cases, Donald Trump on Monday pressed a New York appeals court to overturn the nearly USD 500 million New York civil fraud judgment that threatens to drain his personal cash reserves as he campaigns to retake the White House. In paperwork filed with the state's mid-level appeals court, the former president's lawyers said Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron's Feb. 16 finding that Trump lied to banks, insurers and others about his wealth was erroneous and egregious." Trump's appeal arguments echoed many of the gripes he delivered during his trial to TV cameras outside the courtroom. His lawyers argued that New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit should have been promptly dismissed, the statute of limitations barred some allegations, that no one was harmed by Trump's alleged fraud and that James' involvement in private business transactions threatens to drive business out of the state. Trump's lawyers contend that Engoron's decision, if upheld, .

Nudged out amid current controversy: Cong on UPSC chairman resignation

With the UPSC chairman Manoj Soni resigning citing personal reasons, the Congress on Saturday said he apparently "nudged out" given the current controversy in which the UPSC is involved. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also said the sanctity and autonomy of all Constitutional bodies have been badly damaged since 2014 -- the year Narendra Modi became prime minister. Soni has resigned citing personal reasons before the expiry of his tenure in May 2029, official sources said on Saturday. His resignation is "not in any way connected to controversies and allegations surrounding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar issue came to the fore," they said. Reacting to the development, Ramesh said, "The sanctity, character, autonomy, and professionalism of all Constitutional bodies have been badly damaged since 2014. But at times even the self-anointed non-biological PM is forced to say enough in enough." He ad

UPSC chairman Soni resigns before tenure completion, cites personal reasons

UPSC chairman Manoj Soni has resigned citing personal reasons before the expiry of his tenure in May 2029, official sources said on Saturday. His resignation is "not in any way connected to controversies and allegations surrounding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar issue came to the fore," they said. "The UPSC chairman had tendered his resignation citing personal reasons over a fortnight back. It is yet to be accepted," a source said. Eminent educationist Soni, 59, took over as a member of the Commission on June 28, 2017. He took oath as the UPSC chairman on May 16, 2023 and his term was to end on May 15, 2029. Sources said Soni was not keen on becoming the UPSC chairman and had requested to be relieved. However, his request was not accepted then, the sources said. They said Soni has now desired to devote more time to "socio-religious activities." The development assumes significance as the UPSC on Friday said it has lodged a

UPSC issues notice to cancel IAS selection of officer Pooja Khedkar

Pooja Khedkar, 32, came to the spotlight after it was alleged that she misused her privileges while being posted as a trainee IAS officer in Pune, Maharashtra

IAS Pooja Khedkar has 7% locomotor disability: Pune-based private hospital

Controversial trainee IAS Pooja Khedkar is accused of forging documents to claim disability and OBC reservation quota to secure UPSC seat

Govt puts IAS officer Puja Khedkar's district training programme on hold

The government on Tuesday put on hold the district training programme of controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is under the scanner for allegedly forging disability certificates to clear the Civil Services examination. She has been asked to report back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration by July 23, a state government official said. The academy has decided to recall her for further necessary action, the official said. A letter by Additional Chief secretary of Maharashtra, Nitin Gadre said the academy has decided to put Khedkar's district training programme on hold and has immediately recalled her for further necessary action. You are hereby relieved from the district training programme of the state government of Maharashtra. You are instructed to join the academy at the earliest but not later than 23rd July 2024 under any circumstance, the letter said. Khedkar, 34, came into the limelight after reports about her alleged demands for a separate office

'Fake' disability, OBC claims: Trainee IAS Pooja Khedkar is in big trouble

Pooja Khedkar, who secured an all-India rank of 841 in the Union Public Service Commission exam in 2023, is accused of misusing her powers as a trainee IAS officer

Haryana govt transfers 12 IAS officers, Anurag Rastogi named new home secy

In a major administrative reshuffle, the Haryana government on Thursday transferred 12 IAS officers while appointing 1990-batch officer Anurag Rastogi as the new home secretary. According to a government order, Rastogi has been transferred and posted as additional chief secretary of home, jails, criminal investigation and administration of justice departments. In addition, as additional chief secretary, he will continue to hold his finance and planning departments. Rastogi takes over as home secretary from Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad. The reshuffle in the top bureaucracy was on the cards for some time after the Lok Sabha polls and comes months before assembly elections, due later this year. More than a week ago, in another major reshuffle, the Haryana government transferred 23 Indian Police Service (IPS) and 27 Haryana Police Service officers. Among other transfers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, Anurag Agarwal -- the chief electoral officer and additional chief

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024: Results out at upsc.gov.in; know how to check yours

The UPSC has declared the results of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Exams 2024. Candidates who showed up for the exam can view their results on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in upsv

UN's permanent rep Ruchira Kamboj retires after nearly 40 years

After an illustrious career spanning over 35 years, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, has retired, the senior diplomat said on Saturday. The first woman diplomat to occupy the prestigious position as the Ambassador of India at the UN, Kamboj who had joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1987 took to social media to bid goodbye. Thank you, Bharat, for the extraordinary years and unforgettable experiences, the 60-year-old senior diplomat signed off with this message on her X handle. Kamboj, who was the All India women's topper of the 1987 Civil Services batch and the topper of the 1987 Foreign Service batch, formally assumed the position of Permanent Representative/ Ambassador of India to New York, on August 2, 2022. A regular on social media X highlighting India's achievements at the UN, Kamboj's post announcing her retirement was met with overwhelming response by people from all walks of life former ambassadors to common citizens. A typical

Need to reform, reinvent civil services: Former RBI Governor D Subbarao

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has said civil services in India have to be reformed and reinvented as the "steel frame" introduced by Britishers to govern India has certainly rusted. Subbarao, who held various positions, including that of the Union finance secretary, wrote in his new book titled 'Just A Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career' about the gender gap in the IAS. "The steel frame has certainly rusted," he told PTI. UPSC conducts the civil services examination every year in three stages -- preliminary, mains and personality test (interview) -- to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. "I firmly believe that a country of our size and diversity still needs a generalist service like the IAS but the service needs to be reformed, and even reinvented, in many ways. "The solution is not to throw away the rusted frame but to bring it back to its

UPSC CAPF 2024: Registration begins for 506 Assistant Commandant posts

The CAPF has announced 506 open positions this year; the UPSC CAPF 2024 registration application deadline is May 14, 2024. The positions can be applied for at upsconline.nic.in

UPSC to declare Civil Services Final results 2023 soon, here's how to check

UPSC is likely to release the final results of the Civil Service 2023 exams soon. Candidates who have appeared for the personality test can check their results on the official website

SC rejects plea on cooling-off period for civil servants to contest polls

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking implementation of the 2012 recommendations of the Election Commission regarding the cooling-off period to prevent public servants from contesting polls immediately after retirement or resignation. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sandeep Mehta allowed petitioner G V Harsha Kumar, a former parliamentarian, to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the appropriate authority. The plea had sought directions to the EC and the Centre to implement the 2012 recommendations of the poll panel and the July 2004 report of the Committee on Civil Service Reforms to prevent government servants from contesting elections to the legislature, parliament or state assembly on a political party ticket, immediately after retirement or resignation from service, by imposing a cooling-off period. It had also sought a direction from the Centre to grant one pension to the bureaucrats who have served as members of assembly and parliament. Th

UPSC Prelims 2024: Civil service exams postponed due to general elections

The UPSC CSE 2024 which was planned to be conducted on May 26 has been postponed to June 16. Applicants who have applied for the exam can take a look at the official notice on upsc.gov.in

UPSC reschedules civil services preliminary exam to June 16 due to LS polls

Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases starting April 19 and counting of votes will be on June 4