SDM Pooja Soni, Who Achieved AIR 249 in UPSC 2025, Comes Under Question After Her Stenographer Was Allegedly Caught Accepting a Bribe in Madhya Pradesh
Damoh/Bhopal: A ₹30,000 bribery allegation at the SDM office in Tendukheda, Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh, has brought Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pooja Soni into national focus. The matter has attracted significant attention because Pooja Soni recently passed the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 with All India Rank (AIR) 249 and is expected to enter the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after completing training.
The matter surfaced after the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Jabalpur, arrested her stenographer, Saurabh Yadav, while allegedly receiving a bribe from a builder. During the trap action, the accused was reportedly heard saying that ₹5,000 was for himself and the remaining ₹25,000 was intended for “SDM Madam.” Although no official charges have yet been filed against Pooja Soni, the probe has sparked intense discussion over whether the allegations could impact her future IAS appointment.
What Happened in the Tendukheda SDM Office Bribery Matter?
On May 14, the EOW team carried out a trap operation at the Tendukheda SDM office in Narsinghpur district and allegedly caught stenographer Saurabh Yadav red-handed while accepting ₹30,000.
The alleged bribe was reportedly sought in exchange for issuing an inspection report connected to the layout approval of a residential colony project.
The complainant, Tendukheda-based builder Sanjay Rai, alleged that his application for an inspection report had been delayed unnecessarily. When he contacted the stenographer, he was allegedly asked to pay ₹30,000 to get the report cleared.
After continuous harassment, Rai submitted a complaint to the Economic Offences Wing.
Audio Recording and Alleged Mention of “SDM Madam”
According to reports, investigators have secured an audio recording in which the complainant asked SDM Pooja Soni, “Madam, how may I serve you?”
Pooja Soni reportedly did not respond directly but allegedly remarked, when asked about the clerk, “Whatever you feel appropriate—whatever your shraddha suggests—you may do.”
During the trap operation, Saurabh Yadav was allegedly heard saying: “Out of the ₹30,000, ₹5,000 is mine and ₹25,000 is for SDM Madam.”
This statement has now become a major focus of the investigation, although the EOW has not yet reached any official conclusion regarding Pooja Soni’s involvement.
FIR Registered Against Stenographer; SDM Also Being Examined
At present, an FIR has been lodged against stenographer Saurabh Yadav under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Investigators are additionally examining the possible roles of:
SDM Pooja Soni
Office peon Sunil Kumar
EOW officials have stated that voice recordings and other material evidence are being analyzed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Pooja Soni Rejects All Allegations
Speaking after the EOW action, Pooja Soni firmly denied any wrongdoing.
She stated that the NOC connected to the colony layout had already been issued on May 12, two days before the trap operation.
“The file was initiated on April 27, and the work was completed by May 12. If the work was already done, what was the need for any bribe?” she said.
She also asserted that if anyone could prove she had accepted even a single rupee, she would resign from her position immediately.
“If it is proven that I spent even one rupee, I will leave my job.”
Pooja Soni further added that her clerk admitted before EOW officials that there had been no discussion with her regarding the alleged bribe.
Who Is Pooja Soni?
Pooja Soni is a highly accomplished civil servant from Devendranagar in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district. She is widely recognized for clearing three of India’s toughest competitive examinations—MPPSC, UP PCS, and UPSC.
Born into a modest household, her father Mahesh Soni is a farmer, while her mother runs a small utensils shop.
Educational Background
Completed schooling at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Panna
Scored 89% in Class 10
Scored 87% in Class 12
Graduated in Engineering from Jabalpur Engineering College in 2018 with 91%
The “Success Hat-Trick”: MPPSC, UP PCS and UPSC
MPPSC 2019
Pooja Soni secured Rank 3 in the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission examination.
UP PCS 2020
She obtained Rank 12 in the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission exam and started her administrative career as a Deputy Collector/SDM trainee.
UPSC Civil Services
Cleared UPSC 2021 with AIR 401, qualifying for the Indian Police Service (IPS)
Cleared UPSC 2025 with AIR 249, opening the path for her entry into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Current Posting as SDM, Tendukheda
Before her UPSC 2025 achievement, Pooja Soni was serving as SDM of Tendukheda in Narsinghpur district. During her tenure, she became known for taking action on illegal colonies, water supply concerns, and local administrative issues.
Until the present controversy, she had remained free from any major public disputes.
Interestingly, the final results for her 2019 MPPSC exam were legally frozen for years because of reservation-related litigation. As a result, she shifted focus to clearing the Uttar Pradesh PCS exam and joined the UP administration as a Deputy Collector in 2022. When the MPPSC results were finally announced in late 2023, revealing she had secured Rank 3, she legally resigned from her UP position to return to her home state and assume her present role as SDM in Madhya Pradesh.
Will the Bribery Matter Affect Her IAS Appointment?
According to retired IAS officer Veena Ghanekar, the EOW investigation must first reach completion.
If evidence establishes her involvement, the agency may seek government approval to file a chargesheet, after which a departmental inquiry could begin.
However, at present, there is no immediate legal obstacle preventing her from joining the IAS.
What the Prevention of Corruption Act States
Under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, a public servant commits an offense if they demand, accept, or agree to accept any undue advantage in exchange for performing or influencing an official act.
The punishment upon conviction ranges from:
3 to 7 years imprisonment
Monetary fine
Courts generally focus on three essential elements:
Intent
Demand
Acceptance
Among these, proving the demand and intent is considered especially important.
Preparation Strategy and Message to Aspirants
Pooja Soni has often stated that coaching is not compulsory to crack civil services examinations. She attributes her success to:
6–7 hours of regular self-study
Efficient time management
Strong self-confidence
Determination and discipline
She is also a strong advocate of women’s empowerment and self-reliance.
National Attention on a Promising Bureaucrat
Pooja Soni’s journey has inspired thousands of UPSC aspirants because of her remarkable rise from a farmer’s family in Panna district to securing AIR 249 in UPSC 2025.
Now, just as she stands on the verge of becoming an IAS officer, the bribery allegations involving her office have cast uncertainty over what was otherwise one of the most inspiring civil service success stories of the year.
As the EOW investigation continues, the outcome could carry significant implications not only for her administrative career but also for her expected induction into the IAS.