IAS officer Sachin Ombase is being investigated for allegedly misusing a forged OBC certificate to gain extra UPSC attempts. The Centre has asked Maharashtra to verify its authenticity.
Mumbai: The central government has ordered an inquiry into IAS officer Sachin Chhaganlal Ombase for allegedly misusing a forged OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate to gain additional attempts in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. A complaint alleging fraud led the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, to direct the Maharashtra government to verify the certificate’s authenticity.
The DoPT, in a letter dated June 13 and signed by Undersecretary Anshuman Mishra, instructed Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to conduct the verification. The letter noted that the complaint claims Ombase used a forged OBC-NCL certificate after exhausting his attempts under the general category.
Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), V. Radha, confirmed the state would carry out the investigation as instructed. Ombase, currently an IAS officer from the 2015 Maharashtra cadre, responded to the issue saying, “I have all the necessary documents and will fully cooperate with the investigation if asked.”
Social activist Vijay Kumbhar highlighted the issue by sharing the DoPT letter on X (formerly Twitter). He alleged that Ombase had first attempted the exam four times under the general category and then cleared it by using a fraudulently obtained OBC certificate. According to Kumbhar, Ombase obtained the certificate by suppressing facts, providing false information, and allegedly pressuring officials.
GAD officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the verification process would take some time and a detailed report would be submitted to the central government once it is complete.
A senior retired bureaucrat remarked that this is the second such controversy in recent months related to forged eligibility documents in UPSC. “These incidents raise serious concerns about misuse of reservation benefits. A thorough investigation will help determine whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted,” the official added.
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