Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has canceled the entire recruitment process for the post of Drug Inspector, Group-B in the Department of Food and Drug Administration. The decision was taken after a preliminary inquiry into complaints of alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the screening examination held on March 22, 2026.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has decided to cancel the Drug Inspector, Group-B recruitment process in the Department of Food and Drug Administration. The step was taken following complaints of alleged paper leak and other irregularities in the screening examination held on March 22. It was claimed in the complaints that the question paper or its questions had reached some candidates about two days before the examination, i.e. on March 20.
After questions were raised on the examination process, the Commission had received complaints through emails from candidates and public representatives. A preliminary investigation was conducted into these complaints. After this the Commission decided to cancel the recruitment process instead of continuing further.
Allegation of paper arriving two days before the exam
The most serious allegation regarding the Drug Inspector recruitment examination is that the question paper of the screening examination to be held on March 22 or some of the questions asked in it had allegedly reached some candidates on March 20 itself. According to the complaints, it was also alleged that the alleged questions made available before the examination were later circulated through social media and electronic means.
If these allegations are found to be true in the investigation, it raises serious questions on the fairness of the examination and the entire selection process. For this reason, concern increased among the candidates regarding the matter and complaints were received before the Commission.
MPSC conducted preliminary investigation after complaints
A preliminary inquiry into the matter was initiated after Maharashtra Public Service Commission received complaints of irregularities in the examination. Considering the seriousness of the facts and complaints revealed in the investigation, the Commission decided to cancel the entire recruitment process for Drug Inspector, Group-B posts. This decision of the Commission will have a direct impact on those candidates who had participated in the examination and were waiting for the next phase of the recruitment process. Now the next official decision of the Commission regarding new recruitment or re-examination will be awaited.
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande raised the issue of FIR
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande has raised questions on the state government after the recruitment exam was cancelled. He has demanded registration of an FIR in the alleged paper leak case. Deshpande says that if the initial investigation has revealed that the question paper or its questions reached any person before the examination, then why was police action not taken.
He asked the government why FIR has not been registered yet in the alleged paper leak case. He has demanded to identify the people responsible in this case and take action against them.
'If the paper was leaked then why not an FIR?'
Raising the question, the MNS leader said that if the question paper has reached any candidate two days before the examination, then it is a very serious matter. In such a situation, mere cancellation of the exam should not be sufficient. Deshpande asked the government to clarify when a criminal investigation would begin in the matter and what action would be taken against those who allegedly provided the question papers. He also raised the question that if irregularities have been confirmed on the basis of preliminary investigation, then why there is a delay in registering the FIR.
Amid allegations of paper leak, Deshpande also demanded an investigation into the role of government agencies and people associated with the examination system. He expressed apprehension that if the question paper had come out before the examination, it might not be a matter limited to only a few candidates. He demanded an impartial and thorough investigation into the entire incident to find out how the question paper was allegedly accessed and how it was further circulated.