IAS Smita Sabharwal Faces Massive Backlash Over Disability Quota Remarks

Amid a significant controversy surrounding the selection of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar under disability criteria, a senior bureaucrat has questioned the necessity of quotas for the specially-abled in the civil services.

Smita Sabharwal, member-secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, argued that the demands of civil service jobs, which often involve extensive fieldwork, long hours, and direct interaction with the public, make these roles challenging for those with disabilities. She posed a provocative question on X (formerly known as Twitter), asking, “With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of the #AIS (IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field work, long taxing hours, and listening first hand to people’s grievances—which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this Quota in the first place!”

Smita Sabharwal’s post sparked a strong backlash, with many labeling her views as “flawed logic” and ignorant. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized Sabharwal’s stance, calling it “pathetic and exclusionary.” She also highlighted that bureaucrats seldom criticize the misuse of other quotas, such as those for the economically weaker sections (EWS) or the non-creamy layer, but seem quick to dismiss reservations that promote diversity and inclusion.

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Senior Supreme Court Advocate Karuna Nandy expressed amazement at Sabharwal’s ignorance regarding disabilities, pointing out that most disabilities do not affect stamina or intelligence. Nandy emphasized the need for enlightenment and diversity within the bureaucracy.

Arvind Gupta, a trustee of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), shared insights from the organization’s work, noting the innovative contributions of people with disabilities. Gupta stressed the importance of creating a universal ecosystem that allows persons with disabilities to contribute equally to society. He called for increased education and awareness to avoid excluding 20 crore Indians from participating in building a better India.

The debate intensified after Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch trainee IAS officer, made headlines when Pune collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, raising concerns about several demands Khedkar made during her probation, which he claimed she was not entitled to.