MPSC protest splits as groups press demands

A protest by aspirants against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) in the city has been divided into separate factions, each pushing for distinct demands. One faction is calling for the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, while another is advocating for a return to the MCQ pattern of exams, and a third faction is favoring the continuation of the 2025 pattern.

A delegation representing these protesters met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 30, 2026, leading to a suspension and subsequent resumption of the protests. Currently, the groups are demonstrating at three distinct locations: S.M. Joshi Bridge, Lal Bahadur Shastri Road near Ahilya Abhyasika, and Tilak Chowk/Alka Chowk.

The protest delegation submitted a list of demands, including filling 70,000 job vacancies, appointing a chairman after consulting with aspirants and reviewing his past, conducting MPSC exams at designated centers, and investigating irregularities in examinations. The group pushing for Bhimanwar's dismissal also wants a system similar to Rajasthan's, where candidates can take exams throughout the year using a card permitting 100 attempts.

This group alleges that the government is attempting to quash the protest by issuing notices and threatening students, coaching class operators, and Telegram channel administrators, according to Rohit Pawar, an MLA and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).

Another protester expressed that the group does not fear threats and called for talks with the government instead of receiving threats. The protesters have urged the government to publish an exam calendar, fill vacancies, hold exams at centers, complete recruitment, and set a date for negotiations. So far, the MPSC, the State government, and Fadnavis have not issued a statement on these demands.

Pawar stated that he would support the aspirants and raise their demands in the Assembly. The groups are expected to reconvene at S.M. Joshi Bridge to decide on their next course of action, with protesters emphasizing that the agitation would persist without violence as they await a response from the government.