The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the recruitment process for the post of Drug Inspector, Group-B, in the Food and Drug Administration Department, an official said.
The decision was taken after a preliminary inquiry into complaints of alleged malpractice in the screening examination held on 22 March, 2026.
The Commission had published an advertisement for the Drug Inspector post on July 29, 2025. The screening examination was held offline on 22 March at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra.
The results were announced on 12 June, after which 506 candidates were found eligible for interviews. Of these, 488 candidates were interviewed between 1 July and 22.
Provisional merit list published after interviews
After the interviews ended on 22 July, the Commission published a provisional general merit list of 488 candidates on its website. This included 485 eligible candidates and three candidates who were found ineligible for the Drug Inspector post.
Between 22 July and 26, the Commission received complaints by email from some candidates and public representatives about alleged malpractice in the 22 March screening examination.
The complaints alleged that some candidates had received the question paper or questions on 20 March, before the examination, and that these were circulated through social media and other electronic platforms.
Mumbai Police conducted preliminary inquiry
Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the complaints, the Commission filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police Commissioner on 27 July for an investigation.
The Crime Branch then conducted a preliminary inquiry and submitted its report to the Commission. According to the report, there appeared to be a prima facie case that one candidate had received the question set and benefited from it.
The Commission said the recruitment process was cancelled to protect the confidentiality, integrity, transparency and impartiality of its examinations and to maintain candidates’ trust in the Commission.
Re-examination to be held, no fresh application needed
A re-examination will be conducted for the Drug Inspector posts. Candidates who had already applied will not need to apply again, and no fee will be charged for the re-examination.
The date of the re-examination and other details will be announced in a separate press release.
The cancellation comes amid increased scrutiny of public examinations across the country, with protests over issues including the NEET-UG paper leak and the JPSC-JSSC examinations continuing in recent months.
