Mumbai: Defending himself amid demands for his resignation, Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar on Wednesday said the drug inspector screening exam paper leak took place in January, while he took oath on February 18 and took charge of the post on March 3.The opposition, led by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, has demanded Bhimanwar’s resignation over the drug inspector screening exam for the FDA department.The exam for 154 posts was held on March 22, and results were declared in July. MPSC, however, got complaints about a leak, prompting it to approach the Mumbai crime branch on July 27 for a probe. On August 25, MPSC cancelled the recruitment process for the Group-B posts.“It is necessary to take into account the facts regarding the period of the incident,” said Bhimanwar, adding that MPSC has taken a serious note of the matter. “MPSC has filed a complaint and police have started an investigation. MPSC has also constituted an internal high-level committee to suggest necessary preventive measures and security measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. State govt too has separately set up a high-level committee to suggest comprehensive reforms in the overall examination process,” he said.Rohit, however, alleged that Bhimanwar was trying to shirk responsibility by claiming that the paper leak took place before he assumed office, when in reality, the paper had reached students on March 20 — that is, two days before the exam. In his post on X, Pawar said: “Therefore, the question of when he took the oath and when he assumed office doesn’t even arise. If he says the paper did leak in Jan 2026, isn’t it extremely serious that it leaked two months before the exam? Even though the paper leaked two months prior to the exam, why was it still conducted in March? Was MPSC just sleeping for those two months?”A 2009 batch IAS officer, Bhimanwar was posted as transport commissioner before his appointment as MPSC chairperson. In the past, he has worked as private secretary to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.Bhimanwar said after taking charge his entire focus has been on strengthening the credibility, transparency, efficiency and security of the examination and recruitment process of MPSC. “In view of the increased recruitment responsibility entrusted to MPSC, several important reforms have been undertaken to make the examination and recruitment process more efficient, transparent and secure…Representatives, candidates and citizens have every right to raise questions and express their concerns regarding public examinations. I welcome such questions in a democratic system. However, any serious allegation should be assessed on the basis of facts, official records and evidence. The future of lakhs of young candidates is involved in very important issues like public recruitment. Therefore, I humbly request all concerned not to turn such issues into personal allegations or political disputes,” Bhimanwar said.Demanding his resignation, Pawar said: “If you truly care about the constitutional position, the trust in the commission, and the future of the students, then immediately show some ethics by resigning on your own and do a favor for lakhs of students. About personal and political allegations, I haven’t spoken even 1% about it yet; when I start speaking, it won’t just be unbearable for you, but even for the government that’s your backer, because I don’t speak without evidence.”
