4 hrs ago
MPSC Exam Delays and Paper Leak Fuel Maharashtra Protests
Many people in Maharashtra are preparing for government job exams run by the MPSC.
Some say a drug-inspector exam paper was leaked, and the commission later cancelled that recruitment process.
Other students questioned how written answers were marked in another exam.
The MPSC postponed three more exams but has not given new dates.
Students have been protesting in Pune because the delays and uncertainty affect their plans and cost families money.
Some want the commission’s chairman removed.
Others disagree about whether exams should use written answers or multiple-choice questions.
The government has proposed a committee to review the commission, and the Bombay High Court said students have a right to protest if they believe there has been unfairness.
A leaked drug-inspector exam paper led the Maharashtra Public Service Commission to cancel that recruitment process on August 25.
Aspirants also raised concerns about evaluation of descriptive answers in the 2025 State Services Main Exam.
The MPSC postponed three main examinations without announcing revised dates, including the State Services Main Exam 2026.
Protesters in Pune are divided over whether to remove the MPSC chairman or change the exam format.
The state government has proposed a committee to examine former and current MPSC chairpersons and members.
- Who
- MPSC exam aspirants, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, and the Maharashtra government.
- What
- Aspirants are protesting exam cancellations, postponements without revised dates, and alleged irregularities.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- The protests have been underway since October 2; the three exams were postponed on September 28.
- Why
- A drug-inspector exam paper was found to have been leaked, and aspirants have raised concerns about exam evaluation, transparency, and delays.
Some aspirants
Other aspirants
MPSC chairman
Some aspirants
Some protesters, including Rahul Mahale, want MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar removed.
Other aspirants
Bhimanwar said he took charge in April and that the alleged irregularities predated his tenure; the chief minister had earlier said the chairman could not be removed arbitrarily.
Exam format
Some aspirants
Some aspirants want the descriptive-answer format scrapped, arguing the MPSC lacks the mechanism and expertise to assess it fairly.
Other aspirants
Other aspirants oppose returning to an objective format, saying they have invested time and money preparing for descriptive exams.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Pune, an MPSC exam hub
- Protests began
- October 2
- Drug-inspector exam cancellation
- The MPSC cancelled the recruitment process on August 25 after admitting a paper leak.
- Drug-inspector interview stage
- 488 of the 506 selected applicants had been interviewed; a provisional general merit list of 485 had been declared.
- Postponed examinations
- State Services Main Exam 2026, Maharashtra Civil Engineering Main Examination 2026, and Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Main Examination
- New schedules
- No revised dates had been announced for the three postponed examinations.
- Government proposal
- The state government recommended a committee to examine the conduct of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members.
- Court statement
- The Bombay High Court said the government must ensure impartial public recruitment exams and that students have a right to agitate if they believe there has been unfairness.
Quotes
Bombay High Court
Court hearing a petition by Pune residents
“If the Mains shift to the objective pattern too, it will be a major setback for lakhs like me who have studied hard for the descriptive format.”
indianexpress.com
“My demand is that the wrongdoers be removed, and the commission adhere to strict exam schedules and transparent conduct.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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