Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Government Considers Record MPSC Vacancies, Objective Exam Reform
Maharashtra wants to offer many more government jobs through its public service commission.
The chief minister said the next recruitment could have more posts than ever before.
Many of the new posts may be in Group C jobs.
The government is also studying another way to fill vacancies in local government institutions.
A committee is asking students and other stakeholders how MPSC exams can be improved.
Many students want exams to return to questions with set answers, called objective exams.
Earlier, the government had decided to use descriptive exams after a committee recommended the change.
The government will wait for the reform committee’s report before making a final decision.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra plans to substantially increase MPSC vacancies, especially for Group C posts.
He said the next recruitment could exceed all previous records, after five departments presented details of vacant posts.
The government is considering a separate mechanism to fill vacant posts in local self-government institutions.
A high-powered committee is reviewing MPSC reforms and has received more than 20,000 emails from stakeholders.
The government may restore objective exams if the committee recommends the change, with transparency and cancellation procedures also under review.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission Examination Reform Committee, students and other stakeholders.
- What
- The government is considering a major increase in MPSC vacancies and possible changes to the examination pattern and recruitment procedures.
- When
- The statements were reported on September 22; the year was not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Maharashtra, following a state Cabinet meeting and committee hearings.
- Why
- To fill vacant government posts and address demands for a more transparent, predictable and student-responsive recruitment process.
Objective-pattern proponents
Descriptive-pattern approach
Preferred examination format
Objective-pattern proponents
Student representatives have strongly demanded a return to the objective pattern in State Services, Agriculture, Food Safety Officer and Engineering services examinations.
Descriptive-pattern approach
The Dalvi Committee previously recommended shifting from the objective pattern to the descriptive pattern, and the government and MPSC decided to implement that change.
Government decision
Objective-pattern proponents
Supporters of the change may see the committee’s consultations as an opportunity to restore objective exams.
Descriptive-pattern approach
The government has not made a final decision and will wait for the high-powered committee’s recommendations before acting.
- Chief minister
- Devendra Fadnavis
- Recruitment body
- Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC)
- Potential vacancy increase
- The next recruitment could break previous records, particularly for Group C posts
- Committee feedback
- More than 20,000 emails have been received from stakeholders
- Exam-pattern proposal
- The government may consider returning from descriptive exams to objective exams if recommended by the committee
- Reform areas
- Evaluation transparency, exam calendars, question-paper procedures, mark normalisation and cancelled-exam safeguards
- Local-government vacancies
- The government is considering a separate recruitment mechanism through the MPSC or another system
