{
  "id": 3502817,
  "title": "Maharashtra Drug Inspector recruitment cancelled over paper leak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/maharashtra-drug-inspector-recruitment-cancelled-over-paper-leak",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T12:07:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/maharashtra-drug-inspector-recruitment-cancelled-over-paper-leak/article71392342.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) suspended the recruitment procedure for Drug Inspector positions within the Food and Drug Administration Department on August 26, 2026, following an inquiry by the Mumbai Police. The investigation revealed that the question paper for the screening test on March 22, 2026, had been leaked. Candidates reported receiving the paper either before the exam or via social media platforms. The Mumbai Police reported that at least one candidate gained an unfair advantage from the leaked material. The MPSC had initially notified the candidates on July 29, 2025, and conducted the offline examination at six state headquarters on March 22, 2026. Out of 506 eligible candidates, 488 successfully cleared the interview round between July 1 and July 22. A provisional general merit list of 488 candidates was released, and no additional charges were imposed for the application. The commission announced a re-examination for those who had applied earlier, with no reapplication fee. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar's party had previously raised concerns about the paper leak, providing evidence to the investigation agencies. Pawar contended that the leak was more widespread than initially stated and claimed that the paper was sold for ₹40 lakh through an agent racket. He urged the MPSC chairman to resign, citing the severity of the credibility issue for the commission.",
  "summary": "The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the Drug Inspector Group-B recruitment process due to malpractice in the March 22 examination. A preliminary report by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch found that at least one candidate received the question paper and benefited from it, although it was unclear if multiple people were involved.\n\nNCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had alleged that the paper was leaked and sold for ₹40 lakh each, and had demanded the resignation of the MPSC chairman and secretary. He claimed to have submitted evidence of the leak to the commission earlier, which was initially denied but later investigated and confirmed.\n\nThe MPSC has announced that a fresh examination will be held, and Rohit Pawar has warned of a protest at the MPSC headquarters on September 1 if the chairman and secretary do not resign by August 31.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Row erupts in Maharashtra as opposition slams CM Fadnavis over MPSC recruitment exam cancellation, paper leak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/row-erupts-in-maharashtra-as-opposition-slams-cm-fadnavis-over-mpsc",
        "published": "2026-08-26T08:00:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "After 488 cleared interviews, Maharashtra cancels Drug Inspector recruitment over paper leak findings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/after-488-cleared-interviews-maharashtra-cancels-drug-inspector",
        "published": "2026-08-26T08:15:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Pune: Rohit Pawar Targets MPSC Over Drug Inspector Paper Leak, Claims Papers Sold For ₹40 Lakh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/pune-rohit-pawar-targets-mpsc-over-drug-inspector-paper-leak-claims",
        "published": "2026-08-26T10:04:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}