UPSC Topper Poorva Choudhary Faces OBC Quota Controversy: Is Her Success Being Overshadowed by Online Outrage?
For most, cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a dream come true—a moment of pride and celebration after years of hard work. But for Poorva Choudhary, who secured All India Rank 533 in the UPSC 2024 exam, this milestone has taken an unexpected turn. Instead of basking in the joy of her achievement, she’s now at the center of a heated controversy surrounding her OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) reservation status.
Social Media Celebrations Trigger Backlash
It all began with a celebratory Instagram post shared by Poorva’s sister Navya, which showcased Poorva’s UPSC success along with a caption that read, “Cleared UPSC while serving this face card.” The post initially drew admiration and congratulations, but things quickly spiraled when internet users noticed that Poorva’s name appeared under the OBC category in the official result list.
Critics began questioning whether someone with her lifestyle—reportedly filled with designer fashion, luxury travel, and high-end living—should be eligible for OBC-NCL benefits meant for the economically and socially disadvantaged.
Poorva Choudhary a recent UPSC qualifier having a bag worth Rs 4 lakhs along with a premium lifestyle which includes international trips.
Her father is an ADM.
Still she used OBC-NCL certificate to qualify the exam.
Another day another scam in UPSC@DoPTGoI @UPSC_Official pic.twitter.com/GHsx6z2X1C— Tirhut Index (@TirhutDivision) May 1, 2025
Allegations of Misusing Reservation Benefits
What added fuel to the fire were claims circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users alleged that Poorva’s father is an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Rajasthan and that the family owns assets worth crores. Screenshots of her now-deactivated Instagram profile were widely shared, highlighting snapshots of luxury handbags, upscale homes, and international getaways.
One user wrote:
“Her father’s an ADM. Yet she used OBC-NCL to get selected for UPSC. Meanwhile, someone from a humble family, without any reservation, misses out. Is this fair?”
The online outrage was further amplified by comparisons to other controversial cases like that of Pooja Khedkar in 2023, where fraudulent use of OBC and disability quotas led to dismissal from service.
Father Responds: “We Are Within the Rules”
In the midst of the public uproar, Poorva’s father broke his silence and spoke to the media. He defended his daughter’s eligibility for the OBC-NCL category, explaining that while he is indeed a government officer, he was promoted to the Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) cadre at the age of 44. According to the current reservation guidelines, children of officers promoted to Group A after the age of 40 can still claim OBC-NCL status.
He further clarified that their family income remains under the ₹8 lakh annual threshold required for Non-Creamy Layer classification and that agricultural income is excluded from this calculation.
“Please understand the rules before forming opinions. Everything was done according to government norms,” he said.
No Evidence of Rule Violation So Far
Despite the digital trial Poorva Choudhary is being subjected to, there is no official evidence suggesting any violation of UPSC rules or misuse of reservation quotas. The Union Public Service Commission has not issued any statement indicating malpractice, and her documents are believed to be in line with existing eligibility norms.
Experts warn against judging candidates based on lifestyle images, noting that visual cues can be misleading and don’t necessarily reflect a person’s legal or financial background. Policy analysts argue that emotional reactions on social media often blur the line between perception and reality.
A Larger Debate on Reservation Policy
Poorva’s case has reignited discussions on whether the current reservation system needs reform to reflect evolving economic realities. Many believe that the focus should shift from caste alone to include financial and educational background, especially in competitive exams like IAS, IPS, and other civil services.
While Poorva Choudhary’s journey to UPSC success is undeniably impressive, the noise surrounding her OBC status has unfortunately taken center stage. In the end, her story is not just about a civil services rank or a lifestyle post—it’s about how India continues to wrestle with questions of fairness, privilege, and the future of affirmative action.
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