Archive · 11 Sep 2026
MPSC FDA Paper Leak Row Intensifies After Official Inked
Students in Maharashtra are angry because they believe some MPSC exam papers may have been leaked.
MPSC organizes important government recruitment examinations.
During the protests, Sambhaji Brigade activists put black ink on the face of an MPSC official.
A spokesperson said the action showed public anger, but political leaders said violence was wrong.
The state government also warned that people who break the law could face action.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a special investigation into the alleged problems.
The government will recheck the 2025 Mains question papers.
Interviews for some recruitments have been paused while the investigation takes place.
Sambhaji Brigade activists smeared black ink on MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar in Navi Mumbai.
The incident followed protests demanding the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over alleged FDA exam paper leaks.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an SIT probe into MPSC Group B and Group C examinations.
The 2025 Mains question papers will be rechecked, while related interview schedules have been temporarily suspended.
Politicians condemned the attack, while acknowledging students’ anger over alleged leaks and corruption.
- Who
- Sambhaji Brigade activists, MPSC officials, protesting students, Maharashtra government representatives, and political leaders.
- What
- Activists smeared black ink on MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar amid protests over alleged examination paper leaks and corruption.
- When
- The ink-smearing occurred on Friday, one day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an SIT investigation.
- Where
- The attack occurred in Navi Mumbai; related student protests were reported in Maharashtra, including Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Why
- Protesters were demanding accountability and the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over alleged leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Protesters and Student Supporters
Government and Constitutional Opposition
Reason for the protest
Protesters and Student Supporters
Sambhaji Brigade spokesperson Santosh Shinde said the action expressed the frustration of MPSC aspirants and Maharashtra’s public over an allegedly corrupt and incompetent system.
Government and Constitutional Opposition
Government representatives said the paper-leak allegations would be investigated, but protests must not create law-and-order problems or involve attacks.
Use of violence
Protesters and Student Supporters
The activists presented the ink-smearing and alleged slap as a symbolic public response to alleged paper leaks and corruption.
Government and Constitutional Opposition
Rohit Pawar, Vijay Wadettiwar, and Yogesh Kadam condemned the attack or violence, saying opposition should remain constitutional and no one should take the law into their own hands.
Government response
Protesters and Student Supporters
Opposition leaders said repeated alleged leaks have endangered students’ futures and urged immediate concrete action to address their anger.
Government and Constitutional Opposition
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an SIT probe, a rechecking of the 2025 Mains papers, and a temporary suspension of related interviews.
- MPSC official targeted
- Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar was smeared with black ink in Navi Mumbai.
- Main protest demand
- Students have demanded the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
- Investigation
- An SIT will investigate alleged leaks and irregularities in MPSC examinations held over the past two years.
- 2025 examination review
- The 2025 Mains examination question papers will be completely rechecked.
- Recruitment interviews
- Interview schedules for the concerned recruitment processes were temporarily suspended.
- Government warning
- Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam warned of strict legal action over protests that create law-and-order problems.
- Related unrest
- Maratha activists blocked Kadam’s convoy in Dharashiv over the government’s perceived response to Manoj Jarange Patil’s hunger strike.