IPS Officer Poorva Choudhary Back in Spotlight After UPSC Success, Social Media Controversy Rekindles Debate

The success story of IPS officer Poorva Choudhary, who secured All India Rank 533 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, has once again brought her into national focus—this time not just for her achievement, but also due to a renewed social media controversy surrounding her OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status.

Hailing from Bolawali village in the Sangaria Assembly constituency of Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district, Poorva Choudhary’s achievement was initially celebrated across her hometown and beyond. Clearing one of the country’s most competitive examinations, she emerged as a symbol of perseverance and discipline for aspiring civil servants.

However, soon after the results were announced, a section of social media users began questioning her eligibility under the OBC-NCL category. The controversy intensified after viral images showed her with luxury handbags and cars, prompting claims about her family’s financial status.

Questions Raised Over OBC-NCL Eligibility

Critics on social media alleged that Poorva’s father, Om Prakash Saharan, a senior Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer currently serving as Additional District Collector in Kotputli, held a high-ranking government position, making her ineligible for OBC-NCL benefits. Some went further, alleging misuse of reservation by candidates from “influential families.”

These claims quickly gained traction online, turning a personal achievement into a subject of public debate.

Family Clarifies, Cites Service Rules

Responding to the allegations, Om Prakash Saharan issued a detailed clarification, terming the claims “misleading” and based on incomplete understanding of reservation rules. He explained that under existing OBC-NCL norms, children of officers who enter Group-A or Class-I services through direct recruitment before the age of 40 are excluded from non-creamy layer benefits.

“I was appointed as an RAS officer at the age of 44,” Saharan stated, adding that his daughter fully meets the eligibility criteria under the law. He dismissed the online allegations as rumor-driven and urged people to rely on facts rather than assumptions.

UPSC Performance and Academic Background

Poorva Choudhary cleared the UPSC examination in the OBC category with a total of 936 marks—771 in the written examination and 165 in the interview. She completed her schooling at St. Xavier’s School and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. According to her family, her success is the result of years of disciplined preparation and consistent effort.

Renewed Debate on Reservation Transparency

The controversy has once again reignited a broader national debate on reservation policies, particularly concerning OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories. Experts believe such recurring disputes highlight the need for greater public awareness of eligibility norms and a more transparent document verification process by UPSC to prevent misinformation.

Amid the ongoing online discourse, Poorva Choudhary and her family maintain that her selection is fully compliant with all rules and regulations. As discussions continue, the case underscores how personal achievements in public examinations increasingly face scrutiny in the age of social media.