Mumbai, November 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged corruption worth Rs 2,300 crore in the conduct of Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) examinations and centralised admissions, demanding an immediate judicial inquiry.
Addressing a press conference, Pawar sought the resignations of Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil and Maharashtra CET Commissioner Dileep Sardesai. He alleged that private firm EduSpark and its associated companies secured government contracts through manipulated tendering processes across examination management, skill development, educational software and infrastructure services.
“The CET cell is a government department, not an autonomous body like the MPSC,” Pawar said, stressing the government’s accountability. He alleged that Patil and an associate could be involved, adding that he would reveal the associate’s identity on social media.
A teacher present at the press conference claimed to have conducted a sting operation in which an agency allegedly offered guaranteed top CET results for Rs 25 lakh per student. Pawar said documentary evidence had been submitted to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, but no FIR had been registered. He also questioned the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing CET irregularities and sought protection for the whistleblower teachers.
Pawar demanded a high-level judicial inquiry and a forensic audit of all contracts awarded to EduSpark and its affiliates. He also called for the upcoming March CET examinations to be conducted offline to prevent alleged software manipulation and digital malpractice.
Warning of an escalation, Pawar said the Opposition would take the issue across the state if the government failed to act within 10 days.
Responding to the allegations, sources in Minister Chandrakant Patil’s office said the complainant should formally submit all evidence to the competent investigative agencies and assured that an impartial probe would be conducted.
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