MPSC Drug Inspector Exam Cancelled Over Paper Leak: Fresh Test, No New Fee for Candidates

Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the entire recruitment process for Drug Inspector, Group-B posts after a preliminary Crime Branch inquiry found that one candidate had, prima facie, received the question set before the March 22 screening examination and benefited from advance access.

The decision nullifies the screening test, results and interviews. The exam was held at six divisional headquarters, with 506 candidates shortlisted for interviews; 488 appeared, and 485 were later found eligible for appointment. Candidates who cleared earlier stages will therefore have to sit for a fresh screening examination.

MPSC has offered an important relief: affected candidates will not need to apply again or pay another examination fee. The fresh examination date and detailed schedule will be announced separately.

The controversy deepened after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the paper was sold for Rs 40 lakh per candidate through an agent network. However, publicly disclosed police findings do not establish that price, identify a proven network of intermediaries, or confirm how many candidates received the material. The commission has publicly cited evidence involving one candidate.

Questions remain over where the paper was compromised. Investigators are expected to examine preparation, printing, storage, transportation and delivery, as well as how the question set reached the candidate. There is no officially established finding in the commission’s preliminary inquiry identifying an MPSC official as responsible.

However, a Marathi media report has claimed that MPSC under-secretary Abhijeet Lendwe and five others were arrested. This requires confirmation from police or the commission before being treated as established fact.

The Maharashtra government has assured a thorough investigation and strict action. For the fresh test, MPSC will need to demonstrate tighter confidentiality and chain-of-custody controls, while the investigation should establish exactly where earlier safeguards failed.

The cancellation protects the credibility of recruitment, but it also imposes another examination on candidates who may have acted honestly. The credibility of the re-test will ultimately depend on transparent investigation, accountability and demonstrably stronger security arrangements in future.