MPSC postpones three major exams amid paper-leak concerns

MUMBAI, Sep 29: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has postponed three major examinations, including the Maharashtra State Services Main Examination 2026, amid concerns among aspirants following the alleged paper leak in the Drug Inspector examination.

The decision comes amid growing apprehension among candidates over the security of upcoming examinations. The issue gained further attention after the prime accused in the Drug Inspector paper-leak case was reportedly working with the Commission during the process of preparing the question paper for the State Services Main Examination 2026.

According to the revised schedule, the State Services Main Examination 2026, which was scheduled to begin on October 3, 2026, will now commence on January 3, 2027. The Commission has also postponed the Civil Engineering Main Examination and the Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Main Examination.

The Group-C Combined Preliminary Examination, earlier scheduled for October 25, has also been rescheduled to January 3, 2027, according to the revised examination calendar issued by the Commission.

Another factor affecting the examination schedule is the ongoing re-evaluation of answer sheets of the State Services Main Examination 2025. Several candidates had raised objections over the evaluation process, following which the Commission decided to undertake re-evaluation. The exercise is expected to affect the scheduling of subsequent examinations.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to review the examination systems and procedures followed by various recruitment agencies in the state.

The committee is expected to interact with candidates and other stakeholders across Maharashtra and examine the recruitment and examination practices followed by different organisations. It will subsequently recommend measures to strengthen examination security and establish a more robust and reliable recruitment examination system.