The Maharashtra General Administration Department (GAD) has officially issued an order terminating the deputation of Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar as the Secretary of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The move, finalized on October 2, 2026, follows intense pressure from student aspirants and political activists after the Drug Inspector paper leak.
The state government’s decision to remove Harpalkar follows a promise made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to a delegation of MPSC aspirants that the Secretary would be transferred to ensure a transparent environment for a forthcoming judicial inquiry into the functioning of MPSC office-bearers. This probe is mandated to be completed within a three-month timeframe.
The administrative crisis within the MPSC escalated significantly in August 2026, when the commission was forced to cancel the recruitment process for 154 Drug Inspector Group-B positions. Reports indicated that a massive security breach had occurred, with the examination paper being leaked. The cancellation left thousands of applicants in limbo and sparked widespread protests across the state.
Public anger toward the commission’s leadership reached a boiling point on September 11, 2026. Activists from the Sambhaji Brigade entered Harpalkar’s office in Navi Mumbai and blackened his face, a physical demonstration against what they termed the “systemic failure” of the commission to protect the interests of honest students. The government has now acted by terminating the deputation of the Secretary.
Harpalkar, a Joint Secretary-cadre officer, was originally appointed to the MPSC post in December 2025 on a two-year deputation. His removal cuts his tenure short by more than a year. The vacancy comes at a critical time for the commission, which has recently seen major disruptions to its schedule.
Judicial Oversight and Future Exams
The state’s intervention aims to stabilize the commission as the judicial inquiry into the functioning of MPSC office-bearers begins. The judicial inquiry is expected to scrutinize the internal protocols for question paper setting and distribution to prevent future breaches.
While the GAD has yet to name a permanent successor for the Secretary position, the immediate focus remains on restoring the credibility of the state’s primary recruitment body. The Drug Inspector recruitment process remains stalled, and a new timeline for those 154 posts has not yet been announced.
