Story perspectives

MPSC Postpones 2026 Exams After Pune Irregularities Protests

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 10:34 AM UTC · How we work

Left

Hunger strike protest

Since October 2, thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have been protesting near Pune’s S.M. Joshi Bridge over alleged exam irregularities.
Protesters demand the MPSC chairman resign and a full overhaul, arguing systemic corruption disproportionately burdens financially vulnerable students.
Youth Congress president Shivraj More started a hunger strike, urging the government to meet demonstrators.
Aspirant Sakshi Ejgar said she pays Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000 monthly for rent and study, worsening her hardship.

Right

Court backs protesters

Since October 2, thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have protested in Pune over alleged exam irregularities.
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar warned of a shutdown, prompting Mayor Manjusha Nagpure to say citizens should not suffer.
Police deployed force around S.M. Joshi Bridge after labeling protests illegal at three city sites.
The Bombay High Court said protesters are not anti-social, ordering exams, prompting Pawar to ask FIRs target him, not students.

Center

Exam Delay 2026

Since October 2, thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have been protesting in Pune over alleged exam irregularities.
Maharashtra’s government launched a review, transferred the MPSC secretary and proposed a constitutional committee to examine the commission’s chairperson and members.
The Bombay High Court said protesters were students, not anti-social elements, and upheld protest right.
The MPSC postponed the State Services, Civil Engineering and Group-B Main examinations for 2026.

Blindspot

Aspirant Sakshi Ejgar said she pays Rs 10,000-15,000 each month for rent and study expenses, noting that exam postponements increase her financial strain.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Recurring exam paper leaks have shaped India’s testing regime. The 2024 Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill responded to UPSC, SSC and NTA scandals, while 188 + documented leaks between 2000 and 2026—including the Vyapam case (2013) and NEET-UG protests (2026)—prompted tighter oversight. Maharashtra PSC’s current protests echo this legacy, demanding accountability for alleged irregularities.

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Hunger strike protest

Since October 2, thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants have been protesting near Pune’s S.M. Joshi Bridge over alleged exam irregularities.
Protesters demand the MPSC chairman resign and a full overhaul, arguing systemic corruption disproportionately burdens financially vulnerable students.
Youth Congress president Shivraj More started a hunger strike, urging the government to meet demonstrators.
Aspirant Sakshi Ejgar said she pays Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000 monthly for rent and study, worsening her hardship.

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