Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Fadnavis Recommends MPSC Inquiry Panel Amid Paper Leak Protests
Students in Pune are protesting about alleged problems with the Maharashtra Public Service Commission and exam paper leaks.
They want the commission’s chairman, Vivek Bhimanwar, to resign, among other demands.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the governor to set up an inquiry panel.
He proposed that a retired High Court judge lead the panel and that it report within three months.
Fadnavis said the inquiry should look at current and former commission chairpersons and members.
He said the government could recommend removal if the inquiry finds misconduct.
Rohit Pawar gave the state government 48 hours to address the demands.
He warned that more than 100,000 students could join larger protests, including a shutdown in Pune or a march to Mumbai.
Manoj Jarange Patil and Raj Thackeray visited the protest site and urged continued pressure on the government.
Devendra Fadnavis recommended that Governor Jishnu Dev Varma set up an inquiry panel into current and former MPSC chairpersons and members.
The proposed panel would be led by a retired High Court judge and report within three months, with further action based on its findings.
Fadnavis said the recommendation was made under Article 317 and that the state could recommend removal if misconduct is found.
Protesters in Pune are seeking MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation, alongside other demands including changes to exam formats.
Rohit Pawar issued a 48-hour ultimatum and warned of larger protests; Manoj Jarange Patil and Raj Thackeray also visited the protest site.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, MPSC aspirants and protest leaders including Rohit Pawar.
- What
- Fadnavis recommended an inquiry panel into current and former MPSC chairpersons and members amid protests over alleged paper leaks and commission functioning.
- When
- The recommendation was reported on Monday and Tuesday; protests had been underway for six days. Rahul Gandhi was likely to meet aspirants on October 7 or 8.
- Where
- The protests are taking place at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune; protesters threatened a march to the Mantralaya in Mumbai.
- Why
- Aspirants are protesting over alleged irregularities and examination-related controversies, with the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar their main demand.
Protesters’ demands
Fadnavis’s position
Action concerning the MPSC chairman
Protesters’ demands
Protesters’ main demand is the resignation or removal of chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, and Rohit Pawar warned of larger demonstrations if demands are not met.
Fadnavis’s position
Fadnavis said demanding the removal of a chairperson who was not in office when the paper leak occurred was not appropriate.
Response to alleged misconduct
Protesters’ demands
Aspirants are seeking immediate government action over alleged irregularities and exam-related controversies.
Fadnavis’s position
Fadnavis proposed an inquiry under Article 317 and said the government would recommend removal to the President if misconduct is found.
- Proposed panel chair
- A retired High Court judge
- Proposed reporting period
- Within three months
- Constitutional provision cited
- Article 317
- Main protest demand
- Resignation or removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar
- Rohit Pawar’s ultimatum
- 48 hours for the state government to address demands
- Threatened protest scale
- Pawar warned that more than 100,000 students could take to the streets.
- Possible protest actions
- A total Pune Bandh or a mass march to the Mantralaya in Mumbai
- Other examination demand
- Aspirants have called for an objective or descriptive examination format.
