The controversy surrounding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has intensified, with aspirants stepping up protests over alleged irregularities in examinations, including a reported paper leak and questions over the evaluation of answer sheets.
The protests have gained political and social backing, putting additional pressure on the Maharashtra government and the state recruitment commission.
Drug Inspector exam paper leak
The controversy centres on the Drug Inspector Group-B Screening Examination held in March 2026. According to the allegations, the question paper was leaked before the examination and allegedly reached some candidates in advance.
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The Mumbai Crime Branch investigation reportedly led to the arrest of MPSC Under-Secretary Abhijit Lendwe, two Assistant Section Officers and four other persons. One of the arrested accused is reportedly a woman candidate who secured seventh rank in the examination.
Candidates raise questions over evaluation
Apart from the paper leak, aspirants have alleged irregularities in the evaluation of descriptive answer sheets in the State Services Main Examination 2025 and Agriculture Services Examination.
Students claim that flaws in the evaluation process may have adversely affected deserving candidates and are demanding an independent examination of the entire process.
Four major demands of MPSC aspirants
The protesting candidates have put forward four key demands:
- Immediate resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and the Secretary.
- Making the Mumbai Crime Branch’s preliminary report on the Drug Inspector paper leak public.
- An independent forensic audit of all examinations conducted during the tenure of arrested Under-Secretary Abhijit Lendwe.
- A transparent and secure system for the Group-C Clerk and Typist Preliminary Examination scheduled for October 25, 2026.
Political support intensifies
The agitation has now received support from political and social groups, including the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke met representatives of the protesting aspirants at his residence in Waluj, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, on September 13 and announced an ultimatum until September 24.
Dipke has reportedly warned that if the MPSC Chairman and Secretary do not resign by then, the organisation will intensify the agitation by visiting MPSC coaching centres and districts across Maharashtra.
MPSC’s response
MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has maintained that the Drug Inspector paper leak occurred before he assumed charge as chairman. The commission has also indicated that a high-level committee will be constituted to examine and recommend improvements to the examination system.
However, the protesting aspirants remain dissatisfied and are continuing to press for accountability, an independent probe and greater transparency in the recruitment process.
The controversy now poses a fresh challenge to the credibility of Maharashtra’s competitive examination system, with thousands of aspirants seeking concrete action rather than assurances.
