'News' clears Chhattisgarh civil services, leaves internet doing a double take

CGPSC Sub-Inspector candidate News Kumar Pradhan went viral after his name appeared on the merit list. The buzz later gave way to a story of verified identity, steady preparation and social media haste.'News' tops headlines after clearing CGPSC SI exam, viral name sparks social media buzz (Photo: ITG)A Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) Sub-Inspector recruitment result has turned an unlikely candidate into an internet sensation after his first name left social media users convinced that the merit list contained a fake entry or a technical error.However, as it turns out, the candidate, News Kumar Pradhan, hails from Bhathanpali village in Raigarh district's Pusour block. After the CGPSC declared the Sub-Inspector recruitment results, screenshots of the merit list showing his first name as "News" went viral online, with many questioning whether it was a genuine candidate or a system glitch.However, it soon emerged that News Kumar Pradhan is very much real, and that the unusual name appearing in the results exactly matches his official records.A native of Bhathanpali village, Pradhan completed his early education in Rengalpali, a village near the Odisha border. According to his family and former teachers, he was a bright student from an early age. His success in the highly competitive CGPSC examination has brought pride not only to his village but also to the entire Raigarh district. Speaking about the unexpected attention, Pradhan clarified that "News Kumar Pradhan" is his legal name and is recorded in all his official documents, including his Class 10 and Class 12 certificates as well as his Aadhaar card."I have been preparing for competitive examinations from a government library for the past two years. This time my hard work paid off. My name is 'News' in all my official documents. People found it unusual and assumed it was fake, which led to the confusion," he said. Pradhan said he had previously appeared for examinations conducted by both CG Vyapam and the CGPSC. He recalled that even during an earlier Vyapam recruitment examination, his name had attracted attention after he secured a good rank. While he never faced any issues with his name during school, he realised in higher education that it often surprised people.Explaining how he got the name, Pradhan said that after his birth, a priest suggested that his name should begin with the letter "N" based on traditional naming customs. His family subsequently named him "News", unaware that it would one day trigger such widespread curiosity.The episode has become a reminder of how quickly unverified claims can spread on social media. While many initially dismissed the result as fake, the controversy ultimately highlighted a different story – one of perseverance, with Pradhan proving that achievements, not names, define a person's identity.- EndsInputs from Naresh SharmaPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 7, 2026 22:28 IST