Mumbai, August 27: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the recruitment process for the Drug Inspector, Group-B post in the Food and Drug Administration Department. This decision follows the revelation of a paper leak that occurred after the exam held on March 22, 2026, and the subsequent interviews conducted in July.
According to DCP Rajtilak Roshan of the Mumbai Crime Branch, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the paper leak investigation.
Breakup Leads to Confession
Among the arrested is Gaurav Rajendra Patil, who allegedly received the exam paper from his girlfriend, Rituja Patil. Following their breakup, Gaurav disclosed the paper leak to the MPSC out of anger.
The commission acted on Gaurav’s information and contacted the Mumbai police, assigning the case to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
Question Paper Bought for ₹5 Lakh
Reports indicate that Rituja obtained the question paper before the screening, allegedly with her father’s help, who paid an intermediary, Praveen Patil, ₹5 lakh to acquire it. Praveen runs a coaching institute in Nandurbar, where Rituja was studying. After receiving the paper, she shared it with Gaurav, who subsequently qualified for the exam.
The investigation revealed that Rituja had contacted her coaching institute after the exam, stating that she had received 90 questions but only answered 78 to avoid suspicion.
The MPSC has officially cancelled the recruitment process for the Drug Inspector post due to the paper leak, which was confirmed to have occurred before the screening exam.
Results Announced on June 12
The commission conducted the screening exam on March 22 across six divisional headquarters in Maharashtra. Results were declared on June 12, with 506 candidates qualifying for the interview stage. Interviews took place from July 1 to July 22, leading to a provisional merit list of 485 eligible and 488 ineligible candidates.
Representatives have raised concerns over irregularities in the March 22 screening exam, alleging that some candidates received the question paper prior to the exam, which was circulated through social media and other electronic platforms.