Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Pune MPSC Aspirants Protest After Exam Paper Leak
Thousands of people in Pune are studying for government jobs through an exam called the MPSC.
They are protesting because a question paper for one recruitment exam was leaked.
Police have arrested 11 suspects.
The students say they feel the exam system is no longer fair or trustworthy.
They want the commission’s chairman to resign and want changes to how exams are run.
The government told a court it had accepted three of their four demands.
It has also asked the governor to decide what should happen to the chairman.
The students say delayed exams and study costs are making life difficult.
Police say the protest cannot continue because its permission was cancelled.
Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have protested in Pune since October 2 after a question paper leak and exam irregularities.
Police arrested 11 suspects in connection with the leaked paper for the drug inspector recruitment exam held in March.
The protesters seek accountability, including the commission chairman’s resignation, and demand a recruitment drive, lower exam fees and offline exams.
The Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court it had accepted three of the protesters’ four demands; the government has recommended that the governor decide on chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
Aspirants say repeated postponements, costs and doubts about fair recruitment have disrupted their lives; Pune Police say the protest is illegal after its permission was cancelled.
- Who
- Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam aspirants, including protest leaders and political supporters.
- What
- A sit-in protest over a leaked recruitment exam paper and alleged examination irregularities.
- When
- The protest began October 2 and had entered its eighth day on Friday; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Near SM Joshi bridge in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Aspirants are demanding accountability and fair, reliable government recruitment exams after a paper leak and postponement of an exam.
Protesters’ position
Authorities’ position
Whether the protest can continue
Protesters’ position
Protest leaders say they will continue the agitation until there are formal notifications and accountability.
Authorities’ position
Pune Police say the protest is illegal because permission for it was cancelled.
Responsibility for the commission’s failures
Protesters’ position
Some aspirants say chairman Vivek Bhimanwar should resign, and one protester argues the whole commission should be dissolved.
Authorities’ position
The state told the Bombay High Court it had recommended that the governor take an appropriate decision about Bhimanwar; his removal must follow the process under Article 317, according to the report.
- Protest location
- Near SM Joshi bridge, Pune
- Protest began
- October 2
- Arrests
- 11 suspects arrested over the drug inspector exam paper leak
- Exam involved
- Drug inspector recruitment exam held in March
- Demands addressed in court
- The state said it had accepted three of the protesters’ four demands
- Recruitment drive
- Protesters seek a mega recruitment drive for about 6,500 government posts
- Exam fee and format
- Demands include a Rs 100 fee cap and offline exams
- Police position
- Pune Police say the protest is illegal because permission was cancelled