A fresh controversy has surfaced in the Civil Services Examination results. Two candidates named Shikha claimed Rank 113 in the merit list. Consequently, confusion spread quickly across social media and local communities.
The issue began after a candidate from Bulandshahr claimed success in the examination. Shikha Gautam stated that she secured Rank 113 in her first attempt. Moreover, her family also celebrated the achievement publicly in the city.
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
However, later verification revealed a different reality. A candidate from Haryana named Shikha actually secured Rank 113. Therefore, the claim from Bulandshahr turned out to be incorrect.
The Civil Services Examination remains one of India’s most prestigious competitive exams. Thousands of candidates compete every year for limited positions in the administration. Consequently, any confusion regarding results attracts immediate public attention.
Claim From Bulandshahr Triggers Celebration
The controversy began after the UPSC announced the Civil Services Examination 2025 results. Soon afterward, residents of Bulandshahr heard news about a local candidate securing Rank 113.
Shikha Gautam, daughter of Premchand, lives in Ambedkar Nagar locality of the city. Family members quickly shared the news with neighbors and local media. Moreover, relatives confirmed the achievement publicly.
Her uncle Jitendra Kumar also announced the claim to several people. He stated that Shikha had secured Rank 113 in the examination. Consequently, the news spread rapidly within the community.
Soon afterward, family members organized celebrations in the city. They even conducted a road show on Sunday to mark the achievement. Residents congratulated the family and celebrated the supposed success.
However, the claim later raised questions when verification began.
Haryana Candidate Claims Same Rank
Meanwhile, another candidate named Shikha from Haryana also claimed Rank 113. She presented her roll number and supporting documents. Therefore, the claim carried stronger verification.
This development immediately triggered confusion between the two claims. Observers started comparing the names and details mentioned in the merit list. Consequently, the situation developed into a public controversy. Authorities noticed the dispute after the issue spread widely. Therefore, district officials initiated a preliminary local inquiry.
Officials examined available information and statements from the family. Their inquiry suggested that the Bulandshahr claim relied only on the name in the list. However, the family had not verified the roll number carefully.
Investigation Reveals Source of Confusion
Local authorities later confirmed the reason behind the misunderstanding. Family members had checked only the name in the merit list. They did not verify the roll number associated with the candidate. Therefore, the claim about Rank 113 turned out incorrect. Officials explained that the Haryana candidate holds the actual rank.
#WATCH | Bulandshahr, UP: Shikha from Bulandshahr, who was earlier reported to have secured 113th rank in the UPSC, instead of Shikha from Rohtak, who actually secured the rank, says, “The one who has been selected is different, Shikha. As both our names are the same, and I also… https://t.co/IJ8J7CyuDH pic.twitter.com/uHwwclD8oD
— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026
Shikha Gautam’s uncle later addressed the matter publicly. He admitted that the family checked only the name in the result list. Consequently, they assumed the rank belonged to Shikha Gautam. He said that Shikha had not checked the roll number earlier. Therefore, the family mistakenly believed the result belonged to her.
Administration Avoids Public Comment
Despite the controversy, district officials have avoided detailed public statements. Authorities say the matter falls under the Union Public Service Commission. Therefore, officials believe only the commission can provide final clarification. Administrators prefer not to comment further until UPSC issues confirmation.
However, local authorities did conduct preliminary verification. Their findings indicated that the claim from Bulandshahr lacked proper confirmation. Officials say the family has already acknowledged the mistake. Some reports also suggest the family expressed regret for the misunderstanding.
Lessons From the Result Confusion
The controversy highlights the importance of verifying official examination details carefully. Competitive exam results include both names and roll numbers. Therefore, candidates must check both details before announcing success. Social media often spreads information rapidly during result season. Consequently, incorrect claims sometimes gain public attention before verification.
UPSC results usually attract national interest every year. Many families celebrate achievements of successful candidates across the country. However, accurate verification remains essential before public announcements. The Rank 113 controversy now serves as an example of how quickly confusion can spread. A simple misunderstanding created widespread debate within hours.
Ultimately, the official UPSC result list confirms the correct candidate through roll number verification. Candidates and families must rely on such official data before sharing success publicly. For now, the Haryana candidate named Shikha continues to hold Rank 113 in the merit list. Meanwhile, the Bulandshahr claim has faded after verification clarified the actual result.
