For thousands of young people in Maharashtra, clearing a government recruitment examination is more than an academic achievement. It represents years of preparation, financial sacrifice and hopes of building a secure future. However, allegations of question paper leaks and examination irregularities have raised serious concerns about the fairness of this process.
In response, the Maharashtra government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged malpractices in examinations conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The inquiry will cover nine examinations held between 2023 and 2026.
The commission will be headed by Justice Dilip Bhosale, the retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. It will examine allegations of question paper leaks, answer key leaks and other irregularities. The government has also invited candidates, students and other concerned individuals to submit evidence.
Justice Dilip Bhosale to Lead the Inquiry
The government has appointed a five-member commission under the leadership of Justice Dilip Bhosale. Its members include retired Bombay High Court judge P D Naik, senior IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, retired IAS officer Ganesh Patil and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Mundhe will serve as the commission’s member-secretary. The panel will examine the complaints and establish the facts behind the allegations.
Its responsibilities go beyond checking whether examination papers or answer keys were leaked. The commission will also investigate possible misconduct by serving and former MPSC officials, including the commission’s chairperson.
It will identify those responsible if it finds evidence of wrongdoing. The government has asked the panel to submit its report within two months.
Nine MPSC Examinations Under the Scanner
The inquiry will cover nine examinations conducted between 2023 and 2026. These include recruitment tests for several important government departments and services.
The examinations under investigation are:
- Drug Inspector Group-B Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Preliminary Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Main Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Group-C Services Main Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Agriculture Services Main Examination, 2024.
- Food and Drugs Administration Services Main Examination, 2023.
- Maharashtra Civil Engineering Services Main Examination, 2025.
- Maharashtra Electrical Engineering Services Main Examination, 2025.
These examinations offer opportunities to candidates seeking positions across different government departments. Any irregularity in such recruitment can affect thousands of applicants.
The inquiry will examine allegations involving complete question papers, answer keys or parts of these materials. It will also look into other forms of malpractice linked to the examinations.
Candidates Invited to Submit Evidence
The commission has opened its doors to candidates and other people who may have relevant information. It has invited students, individuals and registered organisations to submit their complaints and supporting evidence.
The last date for submitting affidavits is November 16, 2026. Applicants can submit their statements in either Marathi or English.
The commission has also laid down specific requirements for submissions. Every affidavit must include a copy of a valid identity document. Applicants must also attach self-attested copies of relevant supporting documents.
A copy of the affidavit and supporting papers must also reach the commission through email.
The official email address is complaints.inquirycomm.mpsc@maharashtra.gov.in.
The commission’s office is located at Room No. 201, Second Floor, Food and Drug Administration Building, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Bandra East, Mumbai – 400051.
Candidates who need help with the submission process can contact the office at 022-20867677.
The commission has assured applicants that it will keep the submitted affidavits and documents confidential. It will examine the material and decide whether any applicant needs to appear before the panel as a witness.
Students’ Concerns Put Recruitment Fairness in Focus
The controversy has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by government job aspirants. Many candidates spend years preparing for competitive examinations. They often invest considerable money in coaching classes, study materials and accommodation.
For students from modest financial backgrounds, this preparation can involve major sacrifices. Some leave their jobs, while others depend on family support to continue studying.
A paper leak or unfair selection process can put all these efforts at risk. It can also discourage deserving candidates who depend on merit and transparent recruitment.
The allegations have also raised questions about the safeguards used during examinations. Candidates expect authorities to protect question papers, conduct fair assessments and maintain clear recruitment procedures.
An independent inquiry could help establish what happened and whether existing safeguards failed. It could also identify gaps that need attention before future examinations.
Probe Follows Protests by MPSC Aspirants
The government’s decision follows protests by MPSC aspirants in Pune. Students had raised concerns about alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and demanded accountability from the state recruitment body.
The agitation continued for 11 days. It gained attention after candidates sought action over suspected question paper leaks and demanded the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The government subsequently agreed to examine their demands and announced a committee to look into the functioning of the commission. The present inquiry forms part of the wider effort to address concerns surrounding MPSC examinations.
The government has also appointed MPSC member Satish Waghole as acting chairman while Bhimanwar remains on leave pending the inquiry.
These developments have brought the functioning of the recruitment body under greater public scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
The commission’s immediate task is to collect statements, examine documents and verify the allegations. Its findings will help establish whether any examination suffered from malpractice or paper leaks.
However, the appointment of an inquiry commission alone does not establish that the allegations are true. The investigation must examine the available evidence and give all concerned parties a fair opportunity to respond.
The findings could also help the government identify weaknesses in the examination system. Stronger security measures, better monitoring and greater transparency may be needed to prevent similar controversies.
For aspiring candidates, the biggest expectation is simple: recruitment examinations should remain fair, transparent and free from outside influence.
A government job examination should reward preparation and merit, not connections or unfair advantages. The Maharashtra government’s inquiry now faces the important task of restoring confidence in a system on which thousands of young people depend.
The November 16 deadline gives candidates and other stakeholders an opportunity to place their evidence before the commission. What the panel discovers, and what action the government takes afterwards, will be closely watched by MPSC aspirants across the state.
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