Six Arrested After Paper Leak Leads to Cancellation of MPSC Drug Inspector Exam
Six individuals, including officials from the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), have been taken into custody in connection with the question paper leak for the Drug Inspector, Group-B examination. Following preliminary findings by the Mumbai Police into complaints surrounding the screening test, the recruitment process has been officially scrapped, and authorities have scheduled a re-examination for registered candidates.
What Happened
The arrests took place on August 26, 2026, after investigators looked into irregularities concerning the screening test conducted on March 22, 2026, for Drug Inspector, Group-B roles in the Food and Drug Administration Department. Between July 22 and July 26, 2026, the Commission received multiple grievances from candidates and public representatives. Some aspirants reported that the question paper was accessed before the test commenced, while others noted that it had been shared across social media platforms.
Police investigations revealed that questions were illicitly sourced from the original question set drafted by subject experts. A distinct question paper set was subsequently compiled and distributed illegally, breaching the confidentiality of the MPSC examination framework. Those arrested include:
- Abhijit Ganapatrao Lendve, Under Secretary at the MPSC
- Vishweshwar Dattatray Nakate, Assistant Cell Officer at the MPSC
- Gopal Bhattu Marathe, Assistant Cell Officer at the MPSC
- Pravin Dilip Patil, Director of Kautilya Academy in Nandurbar
- Amrit Namdev Patil
- Lokesh alias Gaurav Rajendra Patil
The six individuals were produced before Sessions Court No. 4 and remanded in police custody until September 2, 2026.
Key Highlights
- Six persons, including three MPSC personnel and a private coaching academy director, were arrested on August 26, 2026.
- The screening test originally held on March 22, 2026, for the Food and Drug Administration Department has been officially cancelled.
- Sessions Court No. 4 placed the accused into police custody through September 2, 2026.
- A preliminary report by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch indicated that, prima facie, a single candidate obtained the question paper set and benefited, though inquiries continue regarding wider reach.
- The MPSC confirmed that a re-examination will take place with no extra fees or re-application requirements for existing applicants.
Why This Matters
The case highlights serious security breaches within competitive recruitment operations, involving senior administrative personnel within the testing body itself. By securing questions directly from confidential expert material, the integrity of the recruitment for regulatory roles within the Food and Drug Administration was compromised. In response, the Commission cancelled the process to prevent illegitimate appointments and announced corrective administrative steps for all affected test-takers.
What to Watch Next
The accused remain under police custody through September 2, 2026, as investigators continue assessing whether additional candidates acquired the leaked material beyond the single identified individual. Additionally, the MPSC announced it will issue an official notification outlining the scheduling and logistical details for the upcoming re-examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in connection with the leak?
Authorities arrested MPSC Under Secretary Abhijit Ganapatrao Lendve, MPSC Assistant Cell Officers Vishweshwar Dattatray Nakate and Gopal Bhattu Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Dilip Patil, along with Amrit Namdev Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Rajendra Patil.
Will candidates have to pay fees or apply again for the re-examination?
No. The MPSC stated that candidates who already submitted applications will not need to reapply, and no supplementary examination fee will be charged.
When will the re-examination take place?
A specific date has not yet been announced. The Commission stated that a separate notification regarding the re-examination schedule will be released.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.