3 weeks ago
Bizarre Names in Chhattisgarh Police Exam Results Spark Row
The government of a state in India called Chhattisgarh was hiring people for police jobs.
People who wanted these jobs first had to pass a written test.
When the list of people who passed the test came out, some names looked very strange, like 'News' and 'Spacerani.'
Many people were surprised and wondered if something had gone wrong.
A political party called the Congress asked for an investigation.
The group in charge of the test, called the CGPSC, said the candidates typed those names themselves when they signed up online.
One candidate came forward and said that 'News' is the name written on his official documents.
The ruling party, called the BJP, said the Congress was creating confusion without checking the facts.
Officials told everyone to trust only the official website for accurate information.
Unusual candidate names such as 'News,' 'Spacerani,' and 'Manbas' appeared in the CGPSC preliminary results for Subedar, Sub-Inspector (SI), and Platoon Commander posts.
The preliminary examination was held on July 12, 2026, across 183 centres in all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh for 341 posts.
Results declared on August 4 shortlisted candidates for the main examination, tentatively scheduled for October 24-26; articles report differing counts of 7,301 and 7,310 shortlisted candidates.
The Congress demanded an impartial investigation, while former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel made sarcastic posts on X about the BJP government.
The CGPSC said candidates entered these names themselves in online application forms, and candidate 'News Kumar Pradhan' confirmed his documents carry the name.
- Who
- The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) declared the results; Congress leaders and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel raised concerns, while the BJP defended the process.
- What
- A controversy erupted after bizarre candidate names such as 'News' and 'Spacerani' appeared in the CGPSC preliminary exam results for Subedar, Sub-Inspector, and Platoon Commander posts.
- Where
- Chhattisgarh, India, across 183 examination centres in all 33 districts of the state.
- When
- The preliminary examination was held on July 12, 2026, and results were declared on August 4, 2026; the main examination is tentatively scheduled for October 24-26.
- Why
- The Congress questioned the transparency of the recruitment process, while the CGPSC said the names were self-entered by candidates and indicated no irregularity.
Congress and Critics
CGPSC and BJP
Bizarre names and exam transparency
Congress and Critics
The unusual names in the merit list suggest the recruitment process may have been compromised, and an impartial investigation is needed to safeguard its credibility.
CGPSC and BJP
No irregularity occurred; the candidates entered those names themselves in their online applications and used them throughout verification, physical tests, and the exam, with one candidate confirming the name appears on his marksheets and Aadhaar card.
Blame for the controversy
Congress and Critics
The BJP government's recruitment process deserves scrutiny after such names appeared in the official results, with Baghel mocking it as an 'unprecedented achievement.'
CGPSC and BJP
The Congress is misleading people and creating unnecessary confusion without verifying facts; it should instead answer for the PSC recruitment scam during its own tenure and paper leak cases in states where it is in power.
Key facts
- Exam
- CGPSC recruitment for Subedar, Sub-Inspector (SI), and Platoon Commander posts
- Preliminary exam date
- July 12, 2026
- Examination centres
- 183 centres across all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh
- Vacancies
- 341 posts
- Results declared
- August 4, 2026
- Shortlisted candidates
- 7,301 (per one article) or 7,310 (per another)
- Main examination
- Tentatively scheduled for October 24-26
- CGPSC clarification
- Names were entered by candidates themselves during online application; no irregularity
Quotes
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel
Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
“"The Congress is trying to mislead people without verifying the facts. The PSC has already explained how these names appeared. Instead of creating confusion, the Congress should answer questions about the PSC recruitment scam during its own tenure and paper leak cases in states where it is in power."”
NDTV
“"Congratulating candidates named "News" and "Spacerani" for clearing the preliminary examination, Baghel remarked sarcastically that after "Sunny Leone receiving benefits under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, this is yet another unprecedented achievement under the Vishnu Deo Sai government."”
NDTV









