Parliamentary Panel Raises Concerns Over Misuse of Disability and EWS Certificates in Government Recruitment

New Delhi: A parliamentary committee has flagged serious concerns regarding the misuse of disability and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates in government job recruitment. The committee has urged the government to enhance verification mechanisms to address this issue.

In its report, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice emphasized that fraudulent certificates can damage the credibility of the recruitment process and deny opportunities to genuinely eligible candidates.

The panel stated that any misuse of PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) or EWS certificates undermines the principles of equity, transparency, and fairness in public employment.

To combat this issue, the committee recommends that the Department of Personnel and Training, in collaboration with UPSC and other recruiting agencies, strengthen verification processes for these certificates at key stages of recruitment.

It further suggested exploring technology-enabled verification systems, including advanced digital scrutiny tools, to promptly detect forged or altered certificates.

Such measures may involve digital validation, systematic cross-verification with issuing authorities, and close coordination with state governments and certification bodies.

This recommendation is particularly significant following a notable case in 2024 when the Union Public Service Commission canceled the provisional candidature of an IAS officer for fraudulently availing examination attempts beyond eligibility.

The officer, Puja Khedkar, has been accused of misusing disability and OBC benefits, although she has denied all allegations.

During discussions, the committee also examined the structure of the Civil Services Examination, particularly the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) section.

The CSAT is conducted annually by the UPSC in three phases: preliminary, main, and personality test, to select candidates for various Indian Administrative Services.

The committee noted that the quantitative nature of the CSAT may create challenges for candidates from non-science backgrounds, especially those in remote areas with limited access to preparatory resources.

It argued that the CSE aims to attract diverse academic talent and that the CSAT's design should be reviewed to ensure fairness for all candidates.

While the CSAT is qualifying, the committee recommends a thorough review of its syllabus and difficulty level to assess its impact across different academic backgrounds.

Additionally, the panel stressed the importance of the UPSC adhering to a clear timeline for preparing and submitting its annual reports to avoid delays.