Paper leaks have repeatedly disrupted competitive examinations in India, leaving candidates questioning whether months or even years of preparation can be undone by malpractice.
The latest case involves the Maharashtra Public Service Commission's Drug Inspector recruitment exam. The test was held in March, candidates reached the interview stage and a merit list was published.
Then, allegations that some candidates had accessed questions before the exam led to a police probe. The investigation took an unusual turn when the man who alerted the MPSC about the alleged leak was himself arrested.
Six people, including three MPSC officials, have now been arrested. The recruitment has also been cancelled and a fresh exam will be held.
What Was The Exam?
The case concerns the Drug Inspector, Group-B screening examination conducted by MPSC for the Food and Drug Administration department.
The exam was held on 22 March 2026 for 154 posts. Around 44,500 candidates appeared across six divisional centres.
The results were announced on 12 June, with 506 candidates shortlisted for interviews. Of these, 488 appeared for interviews held between 1 and 22 July.
But complaints soon changed the course of the recruitment.
How Did The Alleged Leak Come To Light?
Between 22 and 26 July, MPSC received complaints alleging that some candidates had accessed the question paper or questions before the examination.
The Commission approached Mumbai Police on 27 July, leading to a Crime Branch investigation.
One of the people who approached the Commission was Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, a 24-year-old pharmaceutical company employee.
According to police, Patil alleged that the 22 March paper had been leaked.
The investigation, however, later turned towards Patil himself.
The Breakup That Became A Police Lead
Police allege that Gaurav was in a relationship with Rutuja Patil, an aspirant who appeared for the Drug Inspector exam.
Investigators allege that Rutuja received the leaked material and that Gaurav also obtained it. Police further allege that the material was shared through WhatsApp.
Rutuja later secured seventh rank, according to the Crime Branch investigation reported by The Indian Express.
The couple subsequently broke up.
Police allege that Gaurav then reported the alleged leak to MPSC. Investigators later arrested him, alleging that he had himself been involved in obtaining and circulating the material.
These are police allegations and have not been established by a court.
Where Did The Paper Allegedly Come From?
The Crime Branch alleges that the question paper moved through a chain involving three MPSC officials and a coaching institute.
The arrested officials are Under Secretary Abhijit Lendave and Assistant Section Officers Gopal Marathe and Vishweshwar Nakate.
Police allege that the confidential material was passed through these officials to Pravin Patil, director of Kautalya Coaching Classes in Nandurbar.
Investigators further allege that Pravin passed it to Amrut Patil, Rutuja's father, before it reached Rutuja and Gaurav.
Police have also alleged a Rs. Five lakh payment in connection with the circulation of the material.
Hindustan Times reported that investigators found 77 questions overlapping with the 294 questions in the actual examination paper. This remains part of the investigation.
Who Has Been Arrested?
The Mumbai Crime Branch arrested six people on 26 August:
Abhijit Lendave, MPSC Under Secretary
Gopal Marathe, MPSC Assistant Section Officer
Vishweshwar Nakate, MPSC Assistant Section Officer
Pravin Patil, coaching institute director
Amrut Patil, Rutuja's father
Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil
The Crime Branch has issued a notice to Rutuja Patil. She has not been reported as arrested.
The six arrested accused were sent to police custody until 2 September.
An arrest is not a finding of guilt. The allegations will be tested through the legal process.
What About The Rs. 40 Lakh Claim?
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar separately alleged that the paper was sold for Rs. 40 lakh.
That is a political allegation and should not be treated as an established transaction.
The police have separately alleged a Rs. Five lakh payment linked to the circulation of the material. The two figures should not be presented as the same claim.
What Legal Action Has Been Taken?
The Crime Branch registered an FIR on 25 August.
Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The investigation is continuing to establish how the confidential material was accessed, circulated and whether more people were involved.
What Happens To Candidates?
MPSC has cancelled the entire Drug Inspector recruitment process and announced a fresh screening examination.
Candidates who had already applied will not have to apply again or pay another examination fee. However, even those who cleared the earlier screening test and appeared for interviews will have to take the fresh examination.
The new exam date will be announced separately.
For candidates, that means starting the selection process again after months of preparation.
What Happens Next?
The Crime Branch will continue investigating the alleged paper leak, including the movement of the question material and possible financial transactions.
The six arrested accused will face further court proceedings, while the role of other people named in the investigation will be examined.
For MPSC aspirants, the next important update will be the date and details of the fresh Drug Inspector examination.
The case now has two parallel tracks: establishing criminal liability through the investigation and restoring a fair recruitment process for the candidates.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
Why was the recruitment cancelled?
MPSC cancelled the Drug Inspector recruitment after complaints and a police probe into allegations that questions were accessed before the 22 March exam.
How did the case come to light?
Gaurav Patil approached MPSC about the alleged leak. Police later alleged that he had himself obtained the leaked material.
What does the breakup have to do with it?
Police allege that Gaurav and Rutuja Patil were in a relationship and that the leaked material reached her. After their breakup, Gaurav reported the alleged leak.
Who has been arrested?
Six people, including three MPSC officials, a coaching institute director, Rutuja's father and Gaurav Patil.
Was the paper sold for Rs. 40 lakh?
Rohit Pawar made that allegation. Police have separately alleged a Rs. Five lakh payment. The Rs. 40 lakh figure has not been established by the police investigation reported so far.
Will candidates have to take the exam again?
Yes. MPSC will conduct a fresh screening examination. Existing applicants do not have to reapply or pay another fee.
