Fact Check: IAS officer Praful Desai’s case of benchmark disability is genuine

Telangana-based IAS officer Praful Desai has denied allegations of forging a disability certificate to gain a reservation in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) civil service examination. Praful Desai, accused of misusing the Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) quota, asserts that his disability does not prevent him from engaging in physical activities, which he says were part of his training. The allegations against Desai surfaced in light of a similar case involving trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar.

The controversy surrounding Desai began after social media photos showed him participating in adventure sports, including horse riding, rafting, and cycling. Critics argue that these activities are inconsistent with the severity of the disability he claimed to have, which was used to secure a position through the disability quota.

Social media users shared the screenshot of Praful Instagarm, in the picture he is doing horse riding, river rafting & cycling. The users shared the pictures with the caption “Another case of UPSC selection fraud is resurfacing, and it's quite shocking. Praful Desai, an IAS officer 2019 batch - AIR 532 in the EWS & Orthopedically handicapped category. - It has been alleged that He faked his disability:

1. He is seen doing 30km cycling. 2. 25km trekking 3. River rafting in Rishikesh 4. Horse riding.

The users also mentioned in the post. “I don't know what kind of miracle he performed on himself that he cured everything and became so fit and muscular. Please Sir, share the mantra of your fitness and which jadi Booti you took. - After these allegations surfaced, He made his Instagram account Private”.

Going against Praful Desai, a user shared a post with the caption “IAS officer Praful Desai. Latest fraudster on the run. Such a disgrace to avail physically challenged quota to get an IAS job and then go about river rafting, horse riding and mountain biking.

Fact Check: We found the claim is false. IAS officer Praful Desai explained that, “In 2018 & 2019 AIIMS Delhi has certified that he is a person with benchmark disability”.

During the search, we found Praful Desai sharing an explanation in his X account. “For all those who are raising questions about my benchmark disability certificate and sharing false information.

“I have applied for the Upsc exam with a benchmark disability certificate issued by the competent authority. During Upsc examination 2018, after lot of hard work and dedication, I have appeared for the personality test/interview in Upsc bhavan. Next day as per procedure, I have appeared for medical examination in front of medical board in AIIMS Delhi. After a thorough investigation, the Medical Board in AIIMS, Delhi, certified that I'm a person with benchmark disability. But I couldn't clear the exam in 2018.

During my Upsc examination 2019, again I have appeared personality test/ interview and next day again as per procedure, I have appeared in front of medical board AIIMS Delhi. Again, after thorough examination, medical board in AIIMS Delhi has certified that I'm a person with benchmark disability. And the same report was shared with DoPT and UPSC. I agree that persons who claim benefits on false information should be punished but at the same time, we should be sensitive towards people who are genuine. Coming to few of my photos where I was seen cycling, trekking and other activities, it was all part of our training programme and for building good bond with our batchmates/ friends.

Being a physically challenged person and pushing my physical limits and trying to live a normal life like others is wrong? My request to all those netizens who are sharing fake information is to be empathetic and sensitive towards genuine people and their family before directly jumping into conclusion without thorough information and even now, I'm ready to face any medical board examination”.

We found an article published by Times Now with the Title “30 km cycling, Horse Riding: Now, Another IAS officer Under Fire Over Disability Quota Forgery for UPSC. Times Now also mentioned: “In his response, Desai said, "I have applied for the UPSC exam with a benchmark disability certificate issued by the competent authority. During the UPSC examination 2018, after a lot of hard work and dedication, I have appeared for the personality test/ interview in Upsc bhavan...I agree that persons who claim benefits on false information should be punished but at the same time we should be sensitive towards people who are genuine."

In an article published in The Week, it was mentioned: “Desai replied that he applied to the UPSC with a benchmark disability certificate issued by a competent authority. He added that he appeared before the AIIMS medical team which certified that he was disabled.”

On the pictures of him cycling and rafting, Desai said those were part of the training programme and team-building activities. "Being a physically challenged person and pushing my physical limits and trying to live a normal life like others are wrong? My request to all those netizens who are sharing fake information is to be empathetic and sensitive towards genuine people and their family before directly jumping to conclusions without thorough information and even now I’m ready to face any medical board examination," he added. 

News 18 published an article with the title “Is Trying to Live a Normal Life Wrong?’ Telangana IAS Officer Denies Disability Quota Forgery Claims”.

IAS officer Praful Desai explained that AIIMS Delhi certified him as a person with a benchmark disability in 2018 and also in 2019. In his explanation, he also mentioned, “While I have a disability, it does not prevent me from engaging in certain physical activities. Many of the activities depicted in the viral photos were part of my training program."

Hence, we found the claim is false.