Mumbai, July 20: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairman Manoj Soni has resigned, citing personal reasons, before his tenure's scheduled end in May 2029, reports said Saturday. His resignation, submitted over a fortnight ago, is not linked to recent controversy involving probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, reports added.

Reports indicated that Soni wishes to devote more time to socio-religious activities. The resignation is yet to be accepted. This development follows UPSC lodging a criminal case against Khedkar for faking her identity to exceed civil services exam attempts and taking steps to bar her from future selections. Manoj Soni Resigns: UPSC Chairman Tenders Resignation 5 Years Before End of Term, Cites ‘Personal Reasons’.

Who is Manoj Soni?

Manoj Soni, who became a Member of the UPSC in 2017 and was appointed Chairperson on May 16 last year, has reportedly tendered his resignation early to dedicate more time to the Anoopam Mission, a branch of the Swaminarayan Sect in Gujarat. Soni, who became a monk or nishkam karmayogi (selfless worker) in 2020 after receiving diksha from the Mission, cited personal reasons for his decision. Puja Khedkar Booked: UPSC Files FIR Against Trainee IAS Officer for Availing Attempts by Faking Identity, Issues Show-Cause Notice for Cancellation of Her Candidature.

Prior to his role at the UPSC, Soni served three terms as Vice Chancellor at various universities. He made history as the youngest-ever Vice Chancellor in India when he assumed the position at The Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) of Baroda from April 2005 to April 2008. He was chosen by then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi when he was 40 years old.

A scholar of political science specialising in international relations, Manoj Soni taught international relations at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar from 1991 to 2016, except during his terms as Vice Chancellor at two universities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2024 01:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).