MPSC cancels Drug Inspector recruitment over paper leak

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission has cancelled the entire recruitment process for Drug Inspector posts in the Food and Drug Administration following a police investigation that uncovered a question paper leak linked to a personal breakup. The decision, announced on August 26, 2026, came after the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested six individuals, including three commission officials, in connection with the scam.

The investigation revealed a chain of events that began before the screening examination held on March 22, 2026. According to police, a candidate named Rutuja allegedly obtained the question paper two days before the test. Her father, Amrut Patil, is believed to have paid Rs 5 lakh to a coaching class operator, Pravin Patil, who then procured the paper from three MPSC employees: Assistant Section Officers Vishveshwar Nakate and Gopal Marate, and Undersecretary Abhijeet Lendave. Rutuja allegedly shared the leaked paper with her boyfriend, Gaurav Patil, via WhatsApp.

The leak came to light after Gaurav Patil and Rutuja ended their relationship. Police allege that Gaurav, fearing Rutuja would forget him after securing a government job, approached the MPSC to report the...