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Manoj Soni, the chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has resigned from his position barely a year into his six-year tenure. The news of his resignation, submitted to the President, comes amidst a controversy surrounding IAS probationer Puja Khedkar's selection to the civil services based on forged documents. While government sources claim Soni's resignation is unrelated to the Khedkar case, citing it was submitted a month prior to the investigation, the timing has sparked speculation.
Soni's resignation letter reportedly cites 'personal reasons', including health concerns and a desire to dedicate more time to 'socio-religious' activities. He is deeply involved with the Anoopam Mission, a non-profit organization linked to the Swaminarayan sect. Soni, an academician known for his close ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a distinguished career in higher education. He served as the vice-chancellor of his alma mater, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, from 2005 to 2009, becoming the youngest ever vice-chancellor in India at the age of 40.
However, Soni's tenure at MSU was marked by controversies. The most prominent was the 'obscenity row' of 2007, where objections were raised against a student's artworks, claiming they hurt religious sentiments. Soni suspended a professor for refusing to close the exhibition, a decision later upheld despite a committee recommending the suspension be withdrawn. Other controversies during his time as vice-chancellor included questionable appointments and admission practices. The recent Khedkar scandal, where the UPSC filed an FIR against the IAS probationer for faking her identity to gain multiple attempts at the Civil Services Exam, has further intensified scrutiny of the organization's procedures and oversight.
The government is yet to announce its decision on accepting Soni's resignation. However, sources suggest that a suitable replacement may be identified before Soni's departure. This incident raises concerns about the integrity of the UPSC, a critical institution responsible for selecting India's civil servants. The government will need to address the concerns surrounding Soni's resignation and the Khedkar scandal to ensure the public's confidence in the UPSC's ability to conduct fair and transparent examinations.
Source: Amid Puja Khedkar row, UPSC chief Manoj Soni quits 5 years before term ends