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.
