Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Pune MPSC Protest Turns Tense as Students Move Toward Riverbed
Students in Pune are protesting about public service exams and government jobs.
They want action over alleged problems with exams, more jobs to be filled, offline exams, and the MPSC chairman to resign.
Police say permission for a gathering at SM Joshi Bridge was only for October 2.
The protest continued afterward at several places.
Police sent notices to 51 students and 29 people who run coaching classes or study rooms.
On Wednesday, students began moving toward the riverbed, and senior police officers were at the site.
Police said protesters could be detained if they broke directions.
The students say they will stay until they get justice and until the next court hearing on November 25.
Senior Pune police officers arrived as protesters began moving toward the riverbed and police considered detentions if directions were violated.
Police say permission for a gathering of about 2,000 people at SM Joshi Bridge covered October 2 only; the protest continued afterward at multiple locations.
Police had issued notices to 51 students and 29 coaching-class and study-room operators, warning of possible further legal action.
Protesters say they will remain until they receive justice and until the next Bombay High Court hearing, scheduled for November 25.
Students are demanding action over alleged exam irregularities, recruitment to around 70,000 posts, offline examinations, and MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation.
- Who
- MPSC students and protesters, Pune Police, and the Bombay High Court; protest leader and MLA Rohit Pawar spoke at the site.
- What
- The protest became tense as students moved toward the riverbed; police said detention was possible if protesters violated directions.
- When
- Wednesday; the next court hearing is scheduled for November 25. The articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, including the protest area near SM Joshi Bridge and other locations.
- Why
- Students are pressing demands concerning alleged exam irregularities, recruitment, exam format, and the MPSC chairman; police say the continued protest lacks permission.
Police and Petitioners
Protesters
Authorization and location
Police and Petitioners
Police say permission covered only the October 2 gathering and that the continued protests are unauthorised. Pune residents’ court petition seeks an end to protests on roads and public spaces and a designated protest site.
Protesters
Protesters say they will remain at the site until they receive justice and, according to protest leader Rohit Pawar, until the next hearing.
Police action
Police and Petitioners
Police said protesters may be detained if they leave the designated area or violate directions, and warned of further legal action.
Protesters
Protesters have refused to leave; Rohit Pawar challenged police to take action against the students.
- Initial protest permission
- Police permitted a satyagraha at SM Joshi Bridge on October 2 for around 2,000 people, subject to conditions.
- Police notices
- Notices were issued to 51 students and 29 coaching-class and study-room operators.
- Police presence
- The Additional Commissioner of Police, DCP Zone 1, DCP Crime Branch, and DCP Special Branch were at the protest site.
- Police deployment
- One article reported that more than 13 police vans were deployed.
- Protest locations
- Police identified SM Joshi Bridge, the Shastri Road-Ahilya Abhyasika area, and Alka/Tilak Chowk among the protest locations.
- Court case
- A Bombay High Court petition seeks to end protests on Pune roads and public spaces and asks for a designated protest site; the hearing was adjourned to November 25.
- Student demands
- Demands include action over alleged exam irregularities, recruitment to around 70,000 posts, offline examinations, and the MPSC chairman’s resignation.
