New Delhi/Bulandshahr: After Akanksha Singh case, a fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2025, after a young woman from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh allegedly made a false claim about securing All India Rank (AIR) 113.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is regarded as one of India’s most prestigious and competitive exams, attracting millions of aspirants each year. However, occasional cases of false claims about clearing the exam or securing rankshave surfaced, leading to public controversy.
In the latest case, an administrative investigation found that the claim made by Shikha Gautam, a resident of Bulandshahr, was not genuine.
Claim of AIR 113 Goes Viral
According to media reports, Shikha Gautam had claimed that she secured AIR 113 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 after the results were declared.
The news spread quickly in the local community, and she began receiving widespread attention. Her story gained particular emotional traction because she was described as the daughter of a Class IV employee, which led to celebratory headlines portraying her success as an inspiring journey.
Her arrival in Bulandshahr reportedly drew a grand welcome with drums, garlands and public felicitations, while several media outlets and social media users shared her story widely.
Photos and videos of her grandfather breaking down in tears of joy also went viral on social media.
Hundreds had joined the celebratory procession when Shikha Gautam from UP's Bulandshahr claimed she cracked UPSC with 113 rank. Turns out her claims were fraudulent. More than the cheating, it is the disservice you do to your own family, community and the real qualifier. pic.twitter.com/wOTPZSWcjO
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) March 12, 2026
Delhi Candidate Raises Objection
The controversy began when another candidate named Shikha from Delhi asserted that she was the one who had actually secured AIR 113 in the UPSC examination.
She reportedly contacted the UPSC via email seeking clarification, prompting the commission to take note of the matter.
Following this, the commission directed the Bulandshahr district administration to verify the claim made by Shikha Gautam.
District Administration Launches Investigation
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Shruti, who directed officials to verify the claim.
The Additional District Magistrate (Administration) assigned the inquiry to local authorities, and Sadar Tehsildar Manoj Rawat was sent to Shikha Gautam’s residence to collect details and documents related to her UPSC claim.
According to administrative sources, the family was unable to provide any documentary proof confirming that she had secured the rank.
Officials stated that the investigation revealed that Shikha Gautam had not even cleared the UPSC Main Examination, which meant she was not eligible to appear for the interview stage.
During verification, it was also found that her name appeared as “Shikha Rani” in certain documents, raising further discrepancies.
Family Reportedly Admits Mistake
Administrative sources said that during the investigation, the family expressed regret over the claim and acknowledged that the actual rank belonged to the candidate from Delhi.
Reports indicate that the family also contacted the Delhi candidate and apologised for the confusion.
Actual Rank Holder Believed to Be Delhi Candidate
Evidence circulating on social media suggests that the candidate who secured AIR 113 is a woman named Shikha originally from Delhi.
According to reports, she is currently serving as a Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) in Haryana.
Her selection has been supported by several documents and verification shared online.
Similar Case Earlier Reported in Bihar
This is not the first instance of a controversial claim related to the UPSC examination.
A similar case had previously surfaced in Bihar, where a woman named Akanksha Singh claimed to have secured AIR 301 in the civil services examination.
However, the UPSC later clarified that AIR 301 actually belonged to another candidate with the same name from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, exposing the earlier claim as false.
Growing Concern Over False UPSC Claims
Incidents like these highlight the growing issue of misinformation and premature claims about UPSC success, often amplified by social media and local celebrations before official verification.
Experts note that while the civil services exam continues to inspire millions of aspirants across India, false claims can create confusion and undermine the credibility of genuine achievers.
Authorities and education experts have therefore emphasised the importance of verifying official UPSC result lists before publicising success stories.
