Parliamentary Panel Urges Stronger Verification of Disability, EWS Certificates and Expands Empanelment Review

A parliamentary committee highlighted concerns over misuse of disability and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates in government job recruitment, urging stronger verification mechanisms including technology-enabled validation. The panel cited the 2024 case of IAS officer Puja Khedkar, accused of fraudulent certificate use, as significant. Additionally, the committee recommended expanding the 360-degree empanelment process, currently for IAS officers, to other services for senior government appointments to enhance holistic evaluation and leadership assessment.