Candidates – CGPSC Results Controversy Ends as Unusual Names Are Verified
Candidates –Candidates -The controversy surrounding the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) preliminary examination results has eased after several candidates with unusual names came forward to verify their identities. The candidates shared official documents and video statements to confirm that the names appearing on the merit list are their actual legal names.
The issue had gained widespread attention after the publication of the results, with social media discussions and political reactions focusing on names such as News, Space Rani, He Ram, Tu Fail and Bhakt Prahlad. Questions were raised over whether some of the names were genuine or the result of errors in the examination records.
Candidates Provide Official Documents
Several candidates subsequently addressed the speculation themselves. They released videos and displayed identity documents and educational certificates to establish that the details mentioned in the CGPSC records correspond to their official documents.
One of the candidates at the centre of the discussion was News Kumar Pradhan, a resident of Bhatnapali village in Raigarh district. Pradhan said his name is not a mistake or a fabricated entry. According to him, the name “News Kumar Pradhan” is recorded on his Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets as well as on his government-issued identity documents.
Why Was the Name ‘News’ Chosen?
Pradhan also explained how he received the unusual first name. He said an astrologer had advised his parents to choose a name beginning with the Hindi letter ‘N’. His family subsequently selected the name “News”.
His explanation came as speculation about the authenticity of the merit list continued online. The supporting documents provided by the candidates helped establish that the unusual names were not necessarily errors in the examination database.
Other Candidates Also Confirm Identities
Candidates identified as Space Rani, He Ram and Tu Fail, also known as Tufail, similarly came forward to address the controversy. Through video messages and official records, they confirmed that the names associated with their CGPSC applications were genuine.
The unusual entries attracted attention largely because they appeared unexpected in an official examination merit list. However, the candidates’ explanations showed that unconventional names can also be legitimate personal names recorded across government and educational documents.
Unusual Names Have Cultural Roots
Experts familiar with local cultural practices have pointed out that unusual naming traditions are not entirely uncommon in parts of rural Chhattisgarh. Names may sometimes be influenced by the day a child is born, family circumstances, significant events or other social and cultural factors.
For example, some communities use names connected with days of the week. Names such as Somaru and Mangalu may be associated with Monday and Tuesday respectively. In other cases, families have chosen names linked to particular events or circumstances surrounding a child’s birth.
Examples From Chhattisgarh
There have also been instances of children receiving distinctive names following memorable events. A resident of Ghutra village in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district was reportedly named “Rashtrapati” after the name was entered during school enrolment.
Another notable example came from Koriya district, where a girl born around midnight on July 1, 2017, was named GST by her family. The name was chosen to mark the nationwide implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, which came into effect that day.
CGPSC Confirms Records Are Genuine
After the candidates provided clarification and supporting documentation, CGPSC officials confirmed that the names appearing in the merit list were authentic records submitted by candidates during the application process.
The episode has therefore shifted from questions about possible irregularities in the merit list to a broader discussion about the diversity of personal names and naming traditions. The verification provided by the candidates and the commission’s clarification have helped resolve the uncertainty surrounding the unusual entries.
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