Pune, October 12, 2026: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has been sent on compulsory leave pending an inquiry into alleged examination irregularities, following an 11-day protest by aspirants in Pune. The Maharashtra government has constituted a five-member high-level inquiry committee chaired by former Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe appointed as its secretary.
Aspirants Suspend 11-Day Protest
Thousands of MPSC aspirants had been protesting in Pune over allegations of question-paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations. The agitation was suspended after the state government agreed to several key demands, including an independent inquiry and Bhimanwar stepping away from his duties while the investigation proceeds.
Vivek Bhimanwar Steps Away During Inquiry
Bhimanwar will remain on leave during the inquiry, a move aimed at addressing concerns over the credibility and autonomy of the commission. His withdrawal from day-to-day responsibilities was one of the central demands raised by the protesting aspirants.
Dilip Bhosale to Head Inquiry Committee
The five-member inquiry committee will be chaired by former Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale. Tukaram Mundhe, who was named in some early reports as a possible head of the investigation, has instead been appointed secretary of the committee.
The panel is expected to examine the allegations and establish the facts surrounding the controversy.
Probe to Examine Alleged Paper Leaks
The committee will investigate allegations of question-paper leaks, malpractice and procedural irregularities in various MPSC examinations. Its scope includes concerns related to recruitment processes such as the Food and Drug Administration examination and other state-service recruitment tests.
Inquiry Report Expected Within 60 Days
The Maharashtra government has proposed a 60-day deadline for completing the investigation. The committee is expected to review the sequence of events, examine possible accountability and recommend measures to prevent similar controversies in future recruitment examinations.
FDA Drug Inspector Examination Under Scrutiny
The Drug Inspector recruitment examination has emerged as a key focus of the controversy. Candidates alleged that questions or portions of the examination paper had circulated before the test. Following complaints of malpractice, MPSC cancelled the recruitment process, intensifying demands for a thorough investigation.
Government Agrees to Move Towards Withdrawing Cases Against Protesters
The state government has also agreed to take steps towards withdrawing cases registered against aspirants during the protest. The assurance formed part of the negotiations that led demonstrators to suspend their agitation.
Recruitment Transparency and Other Reforms on Agenda
Beyond the alleged paper leak, protesters raised broader concerns about recruitment transparency, the number of vacancies and reforms in the commission’s functioning. The government has agreed to consider several of these demands alongside the inquiry into the alleged examination irregularities.
Decision Seen as a Step Towards Accountability
Student representatives and opposition leaders supporting the agitation have described the government’s decision as an important step towards accountability. The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the transparency, fairness and credibility of Maharashtra’s competitive examination system.
The outcome of the inquiry is expected to play a significant role in addressing the concerns raised by aspirants and identifying measures to strengthen the recruitment process.
Source: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, India Today, Loksatta
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