MPSC issues clarification amid paper leak charges in Drug Inspector exam, complaint to be lodged

Mumbai, July 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Amid serious allegations raised by two candidates claiming that the question paper for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) Drug Inspector recruitment exam was leaked two days prior to the examination, MPSC issued an official clarification on Monday regarding the matter.

The candidates had previously lodged a written complaint with both MPSC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding an inquiry.

According to MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar, one of the complainants sent an email stating that he has no further grievances. Furthermore, Harpalkar informed that an official police complaint will be registered in connection with this matter, and MPSC is currently investigating the case.

Harpalkar said that on March 22, 2026, the offline screening examination was conducted across six centres in the state and on June 12, 2026, the examination results were declared. From July 1 to 22, 2026, interviews for qualified candidates were conducted. A total of 488 eligible candidates were interviewed; on July 22, 2026, the general merit list of qualified candidates was published.

Harpalkar said that on July 21, the Commission received a complaint from an email ID belonging to an individual named Gaurav Patil. The complaint alleged that the answer key/question paper for the exam held on March 22 had been leaked, benefiting a particular candidate.

Since the complaint was vague and received via email, MPSC instructed Patil to submit further evidence. Subsequently, Gaurav Patil submitted evidence on July 23, following which an investigation was initiated.

On July 27, both the complainant and the candidate alleged to have benefited from the leak were summoned to the Commission’s office for inquiry. However, neither party appeared, and both remained absent.

Harpalkar further clarified, "In an email received yesterday evening, complainant Gaurav Patil stated that he lodged the complaint at the behest of his friend, Rishikesh Gangurde. Since Gangurde failed to clear the exam, he made the complaint to spread confusion. Patil mentioned in the email that the chat between the candidates was light-hearted banter, and there was no actual claim of a paper leak. However, the Commission has taken this matter very seriously. By compiling the evidence submitted by the complainant, the candidate's statement, and emails from other complainants, we will be filing an official complaint with the police."

Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena UBT levelled serious allegations regarding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) Drug Inspector recruitment examination paper leak. They demanded a thorough inquiry and forensic audit.

Speaking to reporters, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the examination was scheduled for March 22, 2026, but the questions were leaked via WhatsApp on March 20, 2026, giving these candidates ample time to prepare.

Detailing the modus operandi, Pawar alleged that the perpetrator sent question sets on WhatsApp after receiving money and deleted them using the 'Delete for Everyone' feature within two to three minutes. However, one candidate forwarded the downloaded questions to a friend, creating a digital trail that serves as evidence.

Pawar also presented WhatsApp chat transcripts during the press conference, alleging that candidates were even instructed to intentionally solve around 10 questions incorrectly to avoid drawing suspicion.

He further alleged that while affected students approached the MPSC with formal complaints, they received no response. Instead, officials allegedly threatened the students with police action.

Rohit Pawar urged the authorities to conduct a complete forensic audit of the implicated academy, retrieve deleted WhatsApp chats, and trace call records to hold those responsible accountable. He demanded the government’s intervention and gave a 10-day ultimatum for action, warning of widespread state protests if no step is taken.

He also raised concerns over MPSC moving towards online exam formats and normalisation processes, arguing it undermines fairness for students.

Further, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also claimed that evidence is circulating that the MPSC Drug Inspector recruitment paper has leaked on social media even before the exam! On one hand, the Central Education Minister resigned due to protests over the NEET paper leak case, yet the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra refuses to wake up. They've completely wrecked the state's education system and examination processes.

"This is a betrayal of students' trust! Is your business now reduced to crushing the dreams of kids who study year after year and filling the pockets of corrupt brokers? Even before becoming Drug Inspectors, this entire system has been stuffed to the brim with corruption!

The Mahayuti government only knows how to split opposition parties and collect empty shells; they sit there blindfolded when kids' papers are leaking! Conduct a high-level inquiry into this paper leak and take action against those brokers and the political powers backing them! Stop playing games with the future of Maharashtra's youth," said Wadettiwar.

The Shiv Sena UBT deputy leader Sushama Andhare alleged that the MPSC exerted immense pressure on the student who raised a complaint regarding the MPSC exam. That boy is now unreachable.

"Was pressure put on that complainant? The fact that he suddenly stopped speaking—what does that mean? He won't be able to reappear for the MPSC exam (Paper Leak). Perhaps he isn't speaking now because his life/career might be ruined. If there is no pressure on him, then the directors of the MPSC should bring us face-to-face with him, and we will discuss it. An investigation should be conducted regarding this. People only wake up when we speak out. What is Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis there for then? Hand over the Home Ministry to me, and I will conduct the investigation," she said.

Source: IANS