Archive · 30 Sep 2026
MPSC Students Suspend Pune Agitation After Assurances From Fadnavis
MPSC students in Maharashtra planned a protest in Pune on October 2.
A group of student representatives met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
After the meeting, that group temporarily stopped the planned protest.
The students said the government promised to work on about 70,000 government job openings.
They also said MPSC exams would be held offline.
The government reportedly agreed to investigate an alleged exam paper leak.
Students also asked for simpler applications and a system that lets candidates use the same documents for several exams.
Another student leader said the protest should not have been stopped and questioned whether politics influenced the decision.
The students said they will continue watching whether the promises are carried out.
MPSC aspirants temporarily suspended their planned indefinite agitation at Pune’s SM Joshi Bridge on October 2 after meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Student representatives said the government assured recruitment for about 70,000 posts, including accumulated vacancies and posts expected to open through retirements.
The government reportedly agreed to conduct MPSC examinations offline and consult students before changing the examination system.
Students said a time-bound judicial inquiry into the alleged paper leak and the roles of senior Maharashtra Public Service Commission officials would be conducted within three months.
Another student representative disputed the suspension, alleging political credit-taking and saying institutional reforms, recruitment and other student demands remained the priority.
- Who
- Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and student representatives.
- What
- Students temporarily suspended a planned October 2 agitation after receiving reported government assurances on recruitment, offline exams and an inquiry into an alleged paper leak.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; the suspended agitation had been planned for October 2.
- Where
- The meeting was with the Chief Minister; the proposed protest venue was SM Joshi Bridge near Patrakar Bhavan in Pune.
- Why
- Students sought action on government vacancies, examination procedures, alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission and broader institutional reforms.
Student Delegation Supporting Suspension
Student Group Questioning Suspension
Whether to suspend the agitation
Student Delegation Supporting Suspension
The delegation said the meeting with Devendra Fadnavis was positive and unanimously decided to temporarily suspend the protest while continuing discussions with the government.
Student Group Questioning Suspension
Nikhil Patil questioned the decision, alleging that the agitation was called off because expected participation was not large and suggesting the move was linked to political credit.
What the assurances mean
Student Delegation Supporting Suspension
The delegation said the government accepted demands involving 70,000 posts, offline examinations, a common application-card system and a time-bound judicial inquiry.
Student Group Questioning Suspension
Patil said some announced assurances, including offline examinations, had already been discussed or agreed to earlier, and that the central priorities should remain institutional reforms, recruitment, Group C issues and rechecking demands.
Attributing recruitment commitments
Student Delegation Supporting Suspension
The delegation presented the recruitment of about 70,000 posts as a key assurance from the meeting with the Chief Minister.
Student Group Questioning Suspension
Patil said the figure should not be credited to any political leader because he claimed the government had already announced it in 2025.
- Proposed protest date
- October 2
- Protest venue
- SM Joshi Bridge near Patrakar Bhavan, Pune
- Expected recruitment
- About 70,000 government posts
- Exam format
- MPSC examinations were reportedly agreed to be conducted offline
- Judicial inquiry
- Students said an inquiry into the alleged paper leak and senior officials’ roles would be completed within three months
- Recruitment programme
- A detailed programme was reportedly expected within two months
- Police permission
- Permission was granted for about 2,000 participants, subject to 22 conditions