The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) malpractice inquiry panel has extended the deadline for candidates, students and others to submit affidavits and supporting evidence on alleged irregularities in nine competitive examinations to November 23. The earlier deadline was November 16.
The extension was announced by MPSC Secretary and Inquiry Commission Member Secretary Tukaram Mundhe. According to a press note issued by the commission, the additional time was granted because of the Diwali festival and holidays during the submission period. The panel has clarified that affidavits received after November 23 will not be accepted.
The Maharashtra Government appointed the inquiry commission to conduct a detailed examination of allegations including question paper leaks and answer key leaks in nine MPSC examinations. Candidates, students and other individuals who possess relevant information have been asked to submit their statements in the prescribed affidavit format before the deadline.
Applicants must submit their statements in Marathi or English along with a copy of valid identity proof and self-attested copies of relevant supporting documents. A copy of the notarised affidavit, together with the statement and supporting material, must also be sent by email to the address specified by the commission. Individuals seeking assistance with complaints or representations can contact the commission on 02220867677.
The inquiry has gained further attention following submissions by NCP Sharadchandra Pawar legislator Rohit Pawar concerning the MPSC Food and Drug Inspector recruitment examination. Pawar submitted two letters and evidence to the inquiry commission, seeking a wider investigation into allegations that the leak could involve people within and outside the commission.
The Food and Drug Inspector examination was held on March 22, 2026, and came under scrutiny after complaints of irregularities and digital evidence emerged. The MPSC acknowledged on August 26, 2026, that the examination paper had been leaked. Pawar said in a post on X that students and he had submitted evidence to Tukaram Mundhe and requested a thorough investigation.
According to Pawar’s letter, around 10 to 11 people, including candidates, MPSC officials and alleged middlemen, had been arrested in connection with the case. He has also sought the release of the Mumbai Crime Branch’s preliminary investigation report, saying students submitted important evidence to the agency but that the report had not been made public.
Pawar separately questioned the MPSC’s decision to scrap the fifth option in the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets used for its examinations. The inquiry panel’s extended deadline now gives candidates and other individuals until November 23 to submit affidavits and documents under the commission’s prescribed process.
