1 week ago
MPSC Cancels Drug Inspector Recruitment After Preliminary Leak Probe
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission held a test to choose Drug Inspectors.
Some people complained that exam questions may have been shared before the test.
The test took place on March 22, 2026, in six places across Maharashtra.
Later, 506 candidates were selected for interviews, and 488 attended them.
A preliminary Crime Branch inquiry said one candidate may have received the question set early and benefited.
Because this could make the exam unfair, MPSC cancelled the whole recruitment process.
A new test will be held for the same posts.
People who already applied will not need to apply or pay again.
MPSC cancelled the Drug Inspector, Group-B recruitment process after a preliminary Crime Branch inquiry flagged an alleged pre-exam question leak.
The screening examination was held offline on March 22, 2026, at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra.
Results declared on June 12 shortlisted 506 candidates, while 488 candidates attended interviews from July 1 to July 22.
Complaints alleged that candidates received the question paper or questions before the exam, possibly on March 20, and circulated them electronically.
MPSC will conduct a fresh examination without requiring existing applicants to reapply or pay another examination fee.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Public Service Commission, Drug Inspector candidates, Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Crime Investigation Branch.
- What
- MPSC cancelled the Drug Inspector, Group-B recruitment process and ordered a fresh screening examination.
- Where
- The screening examination was conducted offline at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra.
- When
- The original examination was held on March 22, 2026; complaints were received from July 22 to July 26, and MPSC sought a police inquiry on July 27.
- Why
- Complaints alleged that questions were available before the examination, and a preliminary inquiry found prima facie that one candidate received the question set early and benefited.
MPSC’s Examination-Integrity Position
Candidates’ Disruption Concerns
Cancelling the recruitment process
MPSC’s Examination-Integrity Position
MPSC said cancellation was necessary to protect examination confidentiality, integrity, transparency, impartiality and candidates’ trust.
Candidates’ Disruption Concerns
Candidates who had already taken the screening test and, in many cases, attended interviews must wait for and take a new examination.
Basis for the decision
MPSC’s Examination-Integrity Position
The Crime Branch’s preliminary report indicated that one candidate had received the question set before the examination and benefited from it.
Candidates’ Disruption Concerns
The finding is preliminary, while the cancellation means all candidates must undergo a fresh recruitment process rather than proceed from the completed interview stage.
Key facts
- Recruiting authority
- Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC)
- Posts
- Drug Inspector, Group-B posts in the Food and Drug Administration Department
- Original examination
- March 22, 2026, conducted offline at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra
- Interview stage
- 506 candidates qualified for interviews, and 488 attended between July 1 and July 22
- Preliminary finding
- The Mumbai Crime Investigation Branch indicated prima facie that one candidate received the question set before the examination and benefited
- Fresh examination
- Existing applicants will not need to reapply or pay another examination fee; the date and arrangements will be announced separately
- Merit-list discrepancy
- Reports consistently describe a provisional list of 488 candidates, including 485 eligible and three ineligible; one account instead says 488 were ineligible, which conflicts with the total
Sources
After 488 cleared interviews, Maharashtra cancels Drug Inspector recruitment over paper leak findings
MPSC Drug Inspector Exam 2026 Cancelled Following Alleged Paper Leak
MPSC Scraps Drug Inspector Recruitment After Probe Flags Pre-Exam Question Leak, Orders Fresh Re-Test
MPSC Cancels Drug Inspector Recruitment Exam Over Irregularities; Re-Exam Soon
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