MPSC Chairman Responds to Paper Leak Allegations as Aspirants Protest in Pune
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Pune, 7th September 2026: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has responded to allegations surrounding the ongoing MPSC paper leak controversy, saying he would not remain in his position “for even a moment” if anyone presented evidence against him.
In a statement, Bhimanwar said the allegations concerning the Group-B Drug Inspector examination paper leak related to events that took place before he assumed office as MPSC Chairman.
He said the Commission had lodged a police complaint after receiving information about the alleged irregularities and that an investigation was underway. Bhimanwar added that the MPSC had constituted a high-level committee to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The Maharashtra government has also formed a high-powered committee to consult students, parents and teachers at the divisional level, he said.
Rejecting allegations against him, Bhimanwar said he was distressed by what he described as continuous personal and politically motivated attempts to tarnish his image.
“I am continuously striving to build a transparent and impartial system and will continue to do so. However, if anyone presents even a single piece of evidence against me, I will not remain in this position for even a moment,” Bhimanwar said.
He further said several reforms had been introduced since he assumed office. According to Bhimanwar, the Commission has conducted 84 examinations, including eight competitive examinations and 76 screening examinations for direct recruitment.
He claimed that reforms in the examination and result declaration processes had helped reduce delays, with some results being announced within 18 to 21 days. The Commission is also working towards declaring results within a month, he added.
Thousands of MPSC Aspirants Protest in Pune
Bhimanwar’s statement came as thousands of MPSC aspirants gathered in Pune on Sunday under the banner of the Vidyarthi Akrosh Morcha, demanding greater transparency, accountability and action over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Commission.
Aspirants from across Maharashtra participated in the protest and raised concerns over alleged examination irregularities, evaluation errors and the recent paper leak controversy. The protesters marched towards the Pune District Collector’s Office and submitted a 12-point charter of demands.
Among their key demands, the aspirants sought action against the MPSC Chairman and Secretary and called for the appointment of officials with a clean and credible record to the Commission.
They also sought clarification within eight days on the allegations surrounding the Group-B Drug Inspector examination and demanded a thorough inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
The protesters further demanded investigations into alleged errors in the descriptive papers of the Rajyaseva Main 2023 and Krushi Seva examinations. They also called for the Mumbai Crime Branch’s preliminary inquiry report, reportedly submitted to the MPSC, to be made public.
The aspirants demanded a forensic audit of examinations conducted during the tenure of the former secretary accused in the case, along with an investigation into the alleged role and possible financial links of officials connected to the matter.
With the Group-C preliminary examination scheduled for October 25, 2026, the protesters demanded that the examination be conducted in a transparent, fair and secure manner.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who joined the protest, called on the government to engage directly with the aspirants and address their concerns.
“The government should call all the aspirants for discussions and listen to each of their demands. If there has been corruption or if any officer has been involved in corrupt practices, the names of those responsible should come before the public and strict action must be taken against them,” Pawar said.
