https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Why Is Hindi Medium UPSC CSE-2021 Topper IAS Ravi Sihag Under Investigation Over EWS Certificate? Explained

Interestingly, Seoni Collector Ms Sanskriti Jain, an IAS officer of 2015 batch, has clarified that her office has not been instructed to conduct any inquiry against Mr Sihag.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: The Central Government has taken serious cognizance of alleged irregularities in reservation certificates submitted by several civil service officers. Among them is 2022 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Mr Ravi Kumar Sihag, currently posted as SDO Revenue in Lakhnadon, Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has ordered a probe into the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) and income certificates submitted by the officer, a native of Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

The Centre has summoned the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to investigate the veracity of Mr Sihag’s documents.

This development forms part of a broader investigation involving 15 officers – 11 IAS, 2 IPS, 1 IFS, and 1 IRS – from various states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala.

What Triggered the Investigation?
The probe was triggered following a detailed complaint filed on August 16, 2024, alleging misuse of reservation benefits through potentially fraudulent EWS or category certificates. The complaint accused some officers of manipulating eligibility criteria to secure higher ranks and preferred services in the civil services exams.

Mr Sihag, whose rapid rise in the UPSC rankings drew significant public admiration, is now under scrutiny. While speaking to a media outlet, he confirmed that an inquiry is ongoing and assured that “everything will be clear once the investigation is complete.”

The Rise of Ravi Sihag
Mr Sihag is no stranger to the UPSC exams. His journey is as follows-

  • 2018: Cleared UPSC in his first attempt with an AIR 337; allotted Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS).
  • 2019: Secured AIR 317, joined Indian Defense Accounts Service (IDAS).
  • 2020: Failed to clear the exam.
  • 2021: Finally achieved his dream, securing All India Rank 18, and was allotted the IAS.

Mr Sihag became a social media sensation after his 2021 success. Motivational videos, fan pages, and reels began circulating widely. However, this visibility also brought scrutiny.

Controversy Around EWS Certificate
It is alleged that

  • Mr Sihag did not claim any reservation in his earlier attempts (2018 and 2019).
  • In 2021, he applied under the EWS category, which helped him secure a higher rank and a place in the IAS.
  • He allegedly hid the reservation category while posting his result on Instagram.
  • Critics claim that his family owned multiple acres of agricultural land, which made him ineligible for EWS.
  • Allegations suggest that land was transferred to relatives before the 2021 attempt to manipulate income and asset eligibility for the EWS quota.

However, no official confirmation has yet validated these allegations. The final judgment awaits the DoPT investigation report.

Seoni Collector Not Involved
Interestingly, Seoni Collector Ms Sanskriti Jain, an IAS officer of 2015 batch, has clarified that her office has not been instructed to conduct any inquiry against Mr Sihag. This confirms that the matter is being directly handled at the central and state government levels.

Public Reactions and Official Statement
While the controversy unfolds, Mr Sihag maintains his stand and has asked the public and media to wait for the official findings. “The investigation is ongoing. Everyone will know the truth soon,” he said.

The situation has sparked a broader conversation on the integrity of the reservation system and accountability in document verification within India’s most prestigious examination.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
LCA Tejas
Good News: India Set to Receive First Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jet from HAL’s Nashik Line by June 2025 - Details Inside
South Eastern Coalfields Limited SECL
SECL Launches Internal Selection Portal to Streamline Employee Promotions - All Details Inside
BPCL_resized
BPCL Announces Senior Management Changes, Venkatraman P. Iyer Made Head of Vigilance
MIDHANI
Dr. S.V.S. Narayana Murty Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) at MIDHANI - Know More About Him
IAS Officer President murmu
President Addresses IAS Officers from State Services Attending LBSNAA’s 127th Induction Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan
NLC-INDIA-resized-neyvili
NLC India Renewables and RVUNL Form Joint Venture for Green Energy Projects - Check All Details
National Commission for Minorities - NCM
Leadership Crisis: National Commission for Minorities Functioning Without Chairperson & Secretary Amid Rising Workload
Namgyal Angmo IAS
IAS Namgyal Angmo Appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh - Know All About Her
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
LCA Tejas
Good News: India Set to Receive First Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jet from HAL’s Nashik Line by June 2025 - Details Inside
South Eastern Coalfields Limited SECL
SECL Launches Internal Selection Portal to Streamline Employee Promotions - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT