India, July 22 -- The Nashik divisional commissioner has cancelled the non-creamy layer certificate of Puja Khedkar, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationer accused of fraudulently clearing the 2022 civil services examination by misrepresenting her identity and using forged documents.

Khedkar, whose probation has already been terminated, is expected to appeal against the cancellation. The hearing will be held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, soon, officials said.

Praveen Gedam, the Nashik divisional commissioner, had rejected Khedkar's application for the certificate more than a month ago, officials said. Khedkar has now appealed to the secretary of the state Other Backward Class (OBC) department, Appasaheb Dhulaj,...