UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni Resigns Early Due to Personal Reasons
In a surprising turn of events, UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni has resigned nearly five years before the end of his tenure, citing personal reasons. His resignation has not yet been accepted by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT).
Soni, who began working with the UPSC as a member in 2017, was sworn in as the chairperson of the commission on May 16, 2023. His tenure was supposed to end in 2029. Sources emphasized that Soni’s decision to step down is not related to the recent controversy involving UPSC candidates accused of submitting fraudulent certificates to secure employment. According to sources, he submitted his resignation “long back”.
Before joining UPSC, Dr. Soni served three terms as Vice-Chancellor. These include two consecutive terms as Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) from August 1, 2009, to July 31, 2015, and one term as Vice-Chancellor of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (The MSU of Baroda) from April 2005 to April 2008. At the time of his joining the MSU of Baroda, Dr. Soni was the youngest ever Vice-Chancellor in India and the MSU.
Dr. Soni has in the past served on the boards of governors of several institutions of higher education and public administration. He was also a member of a quasi-judicial body constituted by an Act of the Gujarat Legislature, which regulates the fee structure of the un-aided professional institutions in Gujarat.
Doubts Revealed
UPSC -: UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. It is an organization in India that conducts exams to select people for various government jobs.
Chairman -: A Chairman is the leader or head of an organization or a committee. In this case, Manoj Soni was the head of UPSC.
Manoj Soni -: Manoj Soni is a person who was the Chairman of UPSC. He has also worked as a Vice-Chancellor at two universities.
Resigns -: To resign means to leave a job or position. Manoj Soni decided to leave his job as the Chairman of UPSC.
Tenure -: Tenure is the period during which someone holds a job or position. Manoj Soni was supposed to be the Chairman of UPSC until 2029.
Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) -: DOPT is a part of the Indian government that deals with the rules and policies for government employees. They have not yet accepted Manoj Soni’s resignation.
Vice-Chancellor -: A Vice-Chancellor is the head of a university. Manoj Soni was the head of two universities before becoming the Chairman of UPSC.
Fraudulent certificates -: Fraudulent certificates are fake documents that people use to lie about their qualifications. Some UPSC candidates were involved in using such fake certificates, but this is not related to Manoj Soni’s resignation.
