MPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Cancelled Over Paper Leak Allegations; Fresh Exam Soon

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) today, August 26, 2026, officially cancelled the recruitment process for Drug Inspector, Group-B posts within the Food and Drug Administration Department. This significant decision was made after the commission received multiple complaints between July 22 and July 26, 2026, alleging malpractice in the screening examination held on March 22, 2026.

The cancellation aims to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, transparency, and impartiality of MPSC examinations, ensuring that candidates retain confidence in the recruitment process. A fresh examination will be conducted soon, and all candidates who previously applied for the posts will not be required to submit new applications or pay an additional fee.

Mpsc Drug Inspector 2026: Allegations and Inquiry Findings

The MPSC initiated a preliminary inquiry into the alleged malpractice after receiving complaints, including an email on July 21, 2026, and another on July 23, 2026, which contained screenshots of WhatsApp chats. These chats claimed that the question paper for the March 22 screening examination had been circulated as early as March 20, 2026. The commission lodged a formal complaint with Mumbai Police on July 27, 2026, and the Property Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch has since commenced a preliminary inquiry.

A preliminary inquiry report by the MPSC found prima facie evidence that one candidate had indeed received the question set prior to the examination and benefited from it. However, the MPSC did not state that the entire examination paper had been leaked or that multiple candidates had benefited from the alleged malpractice. MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar issued a detailed clarification on the allegations, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to fair practices.

Recruitment Timeline and Affected Candidates

The recruitment notification for the Drug Inspector posts was initially issued on July 29, 2025. The screening examination, which has now been nullified, was conducted offline at examination centres in six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra on March 22, 2026. The results of this screening examination were declared on June 12, 2026, following which 506 candidates were shortlisted for interviews.

Interviews for the shortlisted candidates were conducted between July 1 and July 22, 2026, with 488 candidates appearing. A provisional general merit list detailing these 488 candidates was subsequently published, with 485 candidates provisionally selected for the Drug Inspector post and three declared ineligible. All these selections and the entire process are now cancelled, necessitating a re-examination.

Political Allegations and Complainant Statements

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had publicly alleged irregularities in the MPSC examination for the recruitment of drug inspectors, drawing further attention to the issue. The MPSC’s investigation identified Gaurav alias Lokesh Patil as a complainant, and Rushikesh Gangurde as a candidate involved in the allegations. Interestingly, Gaurav and Lokesh Patil later wrote to the MPSC on July 26, 2026, claiming that the paper circulating before the March 22 examination was different from the actual one.

Despite this, Hrishikesh Gangurde stated, “I have not withdrawn my complaint. Gaurav and his father came to me. They said they want to live there. They are under pressure.” Pravin Patil, Director of Kautilya Academy, whose name was reportedly mentioned in connection with the leak, denied any involvement, stating, “I have committed no offence. I have never heard of an MPSC paper leak.. I have never shared any examination paper with anyone on WhatsApp. I am ready to face any inquiry. The allegations against me are false.”

Mpsc Drug Inspector 2026: Important Dates

Mpsc Drug Inspector 2026: What Happens Next?

Candidates who had previously applied for the Drug Inspector, Group-B posts will automatically be eligible for the fresh examination. They will not be required to re-apply or pay any additional fees. The MPSC will soon announce the revised schedule for the new screening examination. Aspirants are advised to regularly check the official MPSC website for updates regarding the fresh examination dates and any further instructions. The commission’s swift action underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its recruitment processes.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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