MPSC irregularities inquiry extends deadline for affidavits to November 23

The commission inquiring into alleged irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations has extended the last date for submitting affidavits. Affidavits can now be filed until November 23. The earlier deadline was November 16.

Tukaram Mundhe, secretary of the MPSC and member secretary of the inquiry commission, has appealed to candidates, students and others with relevant information to submit their statements within the extended period. The matter concerns alleged paper leaks and answer key leaks in nine competitive examinations.

According to a press note issued by the commission, the deadline was extended in view of the Diwali festival and the holidays during that time. The commission has made it clear that affidavits received after November 23 will not be accepted.

The Maharashtra government has appointed the commission to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations of irregularities in MPSC examinations. The inquiry covers alleged irregularities such as paper leaks and answer key leaks in nine competitive examinations. Candidates, students and others with information have been invited to give their statements to the commission in the prescribed affidavit format.

The commission has said statements must be in Marathi or English. They must be accompanied by a copy of a valid identity card and self-attested copies of the relevant supporting documents. A copy of the notarised affidavit must also be emailed, along with the statement and documents, to [email protected]. People seeking information or help in submitting complaints and representations can call the commission on 022-20867677.

Meanwhile, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar had earlier this month demanded a wide-ranging probe into the leak of the MPSC Food and Drug Inspector recruitment examination paper. He alleges that more people, both inside and outside the commission, could be involved in the racket. He handed two letters to the secretary of the judicial inquiry commission and sought a deeper investigation by submitting evidence related to the leak.

Pawar wrote on X that students and he himself had handed over evidence to the commission's secretary, Tukaram Mundhe. He also demanded that the preliminary investigation report of the Mumbai Crime Branch be made public.

The MPSC held the Food and Drug Inspector examination on March 22, 2026. The examination came under scrutiny after complaints and digital evidence surfaced. On August 26, 2026, the MPSC acknowledged that the paper had been leaked.

According to Pawar's letter, about 10 to 11 people, including candidates, MPSC officials and alleged middlemen, have been arrested in the case. He says the racket could be far larger and more people could be involved.

According to Pawar, students also gave the Crime Branch important evidence, but the agency has not made the preliminary investigation report public despite repeated statements by the Chief Minister. He asked the judicial inquiry commission to call for the report, examine all the evidence, identify the guilty and ensure strict action against them.

In a separate letter, Pawar questioned the decision to remove the fifth option from the OMR (optical mark recognition) answer sheets used in MPSC examinations.