UPSC CSE Final Results 2025 False Claim: Civil service studies in India are high-stakes and highly stressful, often leading to significant emotional distress. In a shocking incident in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, Shikha Gautam, the daughter of a peon, was left unrewarded when it was discovered that she had not actually passed the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025. What began as a heartwarming success story quickly turned into a cautionary tale of verification and administrative scrutiny.

Also Read: UPSC CSE 2025 Marksheet: UPSC Announces Prelims, Mains and Final Marks; Category-Wise Cut-Off PDF & Top 10 Toppers Marks Here

Confusion Over Name and Roll Number:

The controversy erupted immediately after the UPSC results were announced. Shikha Gautam and her family began celebrating upon seeing "Shikha" ranked 113th on the merit list. Her father, Premchand, who works as a peon, said the family simply jumped with joy and believed Shikha. However, an administrative investigation launched to verify the success revealed a major discrepancy: Shikha Gautam had not even passed the main exam. Joy turned to disappointment when it was discovered that she had only checked the name and had forgotten to cross-reference the unique roll number assigned to her.

"I saw my name but didn't cross-check the roll number," says Shikha Gautam from UP's Bulandshahr who had claimed 113 rank in UPSC 2025. The actual qualifier is Shikha from Haryana.

 

The Real Qualifier: Shikha Sehrawat Posted In Haryana

As the investigation deepened, it was confirmed that the 113th rank holder actually belonged to Shikha Sehrawat from Haryana. Unlike the Bulandshahr claimant, Sehrawat's identity was verified through the QR code on her official admit card and her matching roll number. Shikha Sehrawat already serves the public as a Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) in Rohtak, Haryana. This case of mistaken identity highlights the urgent need to verify official credentials before making public claims or celebrating district-wide.

Shikha Sehrawa was shocked when Shikha Guatam also claimed that the name appearing at the 113th rank on the UPSC merit list was hers. Shikha stated that there was only one candidate named Shikha on the merit list, and the roll number was hers.

She then emailed the UPSC, requesting clarification. Shikha holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Economics from Delhi.

She further said, "I secured 7th rank in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, but I did not join because I was selected for the Haryana Civil Services that same year. I joined the Haryana government in May 2025 and have been posted in Sampla since July 2025."

According to the Tehsildar, Shikha Gautam had taken the UPSC exam but failed to clear the main exam. Consequently, she was not selected for the interview. The Tehsildar stated that during the investigation, Shikha Gautam's name was found to be written as Shikha Rani in her documents. The SDM stated that the family of Shikha Gautam from UP has admitted their mistake.

Also Read: CBSE 10 Result 2026 Date: When Will CBSE Release Class 10 Scorecards At results.cbsc.nic.in? Details

Admitting Mistake and Family's Reaction:

Following the administrative investigation, Shikha Gautam admitted her mistake to local officials. She admitted that in the excitement of the moment, she saw her name on the list and assumed it was her without checking the required roll number. Her father, Premchand, defended the family's intentions, saying they were simply carried away by the excitement of selection and lacked the technical knowledge to verify the list themselves.

While this situation has caused considerable embarrassment, it serves as a stark reminder to all candidates to continue working hard during the results process.