Nagpur: A bitter breakup has turned into one of Maharashtra’s most talked about examination scandals, after information allegedly shared between two former partners helped investigators uncover a question paper leak in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) Drug Inspector recruitment examination.
The MPSC has since cancelled the entire Drug Inspector Group-B recruitment process and ordered a fresh examination, citing concerns over the integrity and fairness of the March 22, 2026 screening test. The decision came after complaints received between July 22 and 26 and a preliminary inquiry into alleged malpractice.
The case centres on Rutuja Patil, who secured seventh rank in the examination, and her former boyfriend Gaurav Patil. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, Gaurav had himself allegedly received the leaked material from Rutuja before the examination. After their relationship ended, he approached the MPSC with information about the alleged leak. Investigators later accused him of being involved in the leak as well.
The investigation has produced several startling details. Police say a confidential set containing 294 questions was allegedly obtained before the examination, with 77 questions subsequently matching those in the actual paper. Investigators have also recovered WhatsApp conversations that allegedly show Rutuja was instructed to deliberately get around 10 questions wrong so that an unusually high score would not attract suspicion.
Another major allegation concerns money. Investigators are examining a WhatsApp conversation in which Rutuja allegedly told a friend that she had paid rs 50 lakh to obtain the examination paper. Police are still investigating whether the entire amount was actually paid and who allegedly received or arranged the money.
Six people were arrested in the initial phase of the investigation, including three MPSC employees, coaching institute director Praveen Patil, Rutuja’s father Amrut Patil and Gaurav Patil. Rutuja was subsequently arrested in Nandurbar on September 1, according to police. Investigators have also been examining other high scoring candidates.
The controversy has now grown beyond one examination. Students across Maharashtra have demanded greater transparency, accountability and a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Political pressure has also intensified, with demands for action against responsible officials and scrutiny of the MPSC’s functioning.
The Maharashtra government has meanwhile begun work on reforms to make recruitment examinations more secure and transparent, while the investigation into the Drug Inspector paper leak continues.
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