MPSC paper leak probe: commission formed under retired CJ Dilip Bhosale to investigate 9 exams

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has established a five-member inquiry commission to investigate alleged paper leaks and answer sheet leaks in question papers across nine of its competitive examinations. The commission, headed by retired Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale, was formed on October 29, 2026, in response to growing concerns and student protests regarding examination irregularities.

The inquiry aims to scrutinise the functioning and examination process of the MPSC, identify shortcomings, and propose reforms. This development follows an 11-day street protest by competitive exam aspirants in Pune, which was called off after government assurances of a fair inquiry and the withdrawal of cases filed against the protesting students.

Scope of the Inquiry and Public Submissions

The newly formed commission will investigate alleged irregularities in nine specific MPSC examinations. These include examinations from 2023, 2024, and 2025, covering various service groups and specialised roles. The commission has issued an invitation for candidates, students, individuals, and concerned institutions to submit their statements in the form of affidavits.

The deadline for submitting these statements is November 16, 2026. Tukaram Mundhe, member secretary of the inquiry commission, has urged individuals with relevant information to provide their statements along with supporting documents. Submissions can be made in Marathi or English and must include a copy of a valid identity proof and self-attested copies of relevant documents. The commission has assured that all submissions will be kept confidential.

Statements and documents can be submitted at Room No. 201, second floor, Food and Drug Administration Building, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051. Applicants also have the option to email a copy of their statement to complaints.inquirycomm.mpsc@maharashtra.gov.in. For assistance, the MPSC has provided the helpline number 022-20867677.

Commission Members and Mandate

The five-member inquiry committee is chaired by Justice Dilip Bhosale, a retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. Other members include Justice P.D. Naik, administrative officer Tukaram Mundhe, retired secretary Ganesh Patil, and Inspector General of Police Lakshmi Gautam. Tukaram Mundhe, a senior IAS officer and Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, will serve as the secretary of the committee.

The committee has been given two months to review the MPSC’s functioning and examination process, identify shortcomings, and recommend reforms. Its mandate extends to probing the tenure of both present and past chairpersons and members of the state recruitment body. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed concern over the paper leaks, stating that any recommendation regarding misconduct by the chairperson would be sent to the President as per Article 317 of the Indian Constitution.

Background and Official Response

The formation of the inquiry commission follows a period of significant student unrest and allegations of irregularities. MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar went on leave on October 12, 2026, amidst the ongoing inquiry. In a statement, Bhimanwar cited his commitment to ethics and expressed his decision to go on leave until the inquiry’s completion, stating, “The autonomy, credibility, and interests of students of the MPSC have always been my priority, and they will continue to be so in the future.”

The student protests in Pune, which lasted 11 days, saw aspirants demanding reforms in the commission, examinations, and recruitment system, as well as the withdrawal of cases against protesters. Public Works Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale visited the protest site and held discussions with political leaders and student representatives, assuring them of a fair inquiry. Following these assurances and the government’s decision to withdraw cases filed against students during the protests, the agitation was called off. Rohit Pawar, a representative of the students, commented, “Although it was delayed, the government has accepted the students’ demands. While our primary demand was a resignation, keeping the students’ examinations in mind, we decided to suspend the agitation. This victory belongs to the unity of the students.”

Further reading

• MPSC appoints Satish Waghole as acting chairperson amid paper leak inquiry
• NEET 2026 paper leak: Rajesh Kumar recalls family tragedy, student suicides
• NEET UG exam design changes: Nilekani questions need for single paper amid leak concerns

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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