Career, marriage, finances: How Maharashtra exam date change disrupted lives

Avinash Kangane, 26, is faced with the challenge of starting his career after the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) postponed its Group C job exams from October 25 to January 3. The Mains exam, originally scheduled for December 27, remains unclear in its new date. Madhuri Netake, another aspirant, faces additional difficulties due to gender-based family pressure.

She joins protest marches in Pune, voicing frustration over repeated exam postponements forcing her to return home without achieving her goal. Over 12 lakh candidates applied for 5,707 Group C posts, with an average salary ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per month. This is not the first postponement; the exam was originally scheduled for September 27 and then moved to October 25, further extending the preparation timeline by five months.

Dipak Dhangar, 27, from Dhule, had to quit his IT job to prepare full-time for the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector role. The latest postponement has left him with no income for six months, a situation exacerbated by his recent marriage. He criticizes the MPSC for its frequent rescheduling, stating that it wastes years of candidates' lives.

A 28-year-old aspirant from Parbhani, who remains anonymous, discusses the financial pressure, noting that he needs about Rs 10,000 per month for living expenses in Pune. A further delay could add Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 to his costs, a burden his parents cannot afford. Those without scholarships like the SARTHI scholarship are returning to their villages due to the mounting financial strain.