Leaked papers, cancelled government exams, no new dates: MPSC protests grow in Maharashtra

Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants have been protesting in Pune since October 2 over postponed exams and irregularities. Rahul Mahale, a 29-year-old aspirant, was planning to give the State Services Main Exam this month and the Group-B Main in December until the exam was postponed with no new dates announced due to irregularities.

The MPSC Chairman, Vivek Bhimanwar, is demanded to resign, and the government is under pressure to replace him and ensure strict exam schedules and transparent conduct. The Opposition parties have supported the MPSC protests, and a committee has been recommended to examine the conduct of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members.

On Monday, the Fadnavis government sent a recommendation to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, but the MPSC Chairman's role can only be removed constitutionally under specific circumstances. The Bombay High Court ruled that the government must ensure fair recruitment exams, and students have the right to protest if they believe there is misconduct.

Recently, the MPSC cancelled the drug inspector exam after claiming paper leakage, and the State Services Main Exam 2025 with 139 vacancies came under scrutiny due to irregularities in the evaluation of descriptive answer questions.