Full Breakdown
Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Protest Ends with Formation of Inquiry Panel and Chairman’s Leave
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A ten-day sit-in by MPSC aspirants at the S M Joshi Bridge in Pune ended after the Maharashtra government announced a five-member inquiry committee and MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar went on leave until the probe concludes. The protest, which began on October 1 following alleged paper-leak scandals, demanded Bhimanwar’s resignation, a time-bound investigation, withdrawal of criminal cases against protesters, and expanded recruitment.
Background & Context
The agitation started on September 7 when candidates accused the commission of leaks in the FDA exam (March 2026) and other tests. Leaks that year affected 5,707 Group C posts and 109 medical drug-inspector posts, prompting calls for reforms. Aspirants said the MPSC, once seen as a transparent constitutional body, had “collapsed.”
Timeline
- Sept 7 – Protest begins, calling for Bhimanwar’s removal.
- Sept 24 – Four demands submitted, including a probe and recruitment of 70,000 posts over three years.
- Sept 26 – Police grant conditional permission for a protest at S M Joshi Bridge.
- Oct 1 – Unauthorised gathering on Shastri Road; FIRs filed against 15 representatives.
- Oct 5 – Drone-filming incident leads to FIR against five persons.
- Oct 11 – Government forms a committee chaired by retired judge Dilip Bhosale; Tukaram Mundhe, FDA commissioner, appointed secretary. Members: IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, ex-IAS officer Ganesh Patil, and retired judge P D Naik.
- Oct 11 (night) – Aspirants end the agitation after the committee announcement.
- Oct 12 – Bhimanwar announces his leave on X.
Data & Statistics
- 10-day protest.
- 70,000 vacancies to be filled over three years (government commitment).
- Group C exam scheduled for January 3 2027; vacancy count to be increased.
- 60-day deadline for the inquiry panel’s report.
- 15 FIRs against protest representatives; 5 additional FIRs for unauthorised drone use.
Why It Matters / Impact
MPSC recruitment is a key pathway to stable government jobs for millions, especially from rural families. Alleged paper leaks threaten merit-based selection and public trust. The inquiry’s findings could reshape exam security, recruitment transparency, and the commission’s governance, affecting an estimated 25 lakh students (as cited by NCP MLA Rohit Pawar).
Official Statements & Responses
- Devendra Fadnavis (Chief Minister) noted that removal of a PSC member must follow Article 317, requiring presidential approval.
- Rohit Pawar (NCP MLA) urged keeping Bhimanwar away from his post during the probe, calling the committee formation a “win-win.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Aspirants such as Sakshi Ejgar and Sayali Kengale reported modest incomes (INR10,000-INR15,000 per month) and fear that exam delays jeopardised their education and family stability. The protest site was largely empty by early afternoon but swelled to several hundred by evening, with chants for “Satyagraha.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the government formally agreed to Bhimanwar’s removal. *The Hindu* described his resignation as the “principal sticking point,” while *IndiaTimes* said his leave satisfies the demand. The exact increase in Group C vacancies beyond the promise of “doubling” for the January 3 2027 exam remains unspecified.
What’s Next
The inquiry panel must submit its report within 60 days. Its remit includes probing leak mechanisms across FDA, Group B, police sub-inspector, agriculture and excise exams, and reviewing the tenure of MPSC officials. Implementation of the recruitment drive and withdrawal of pending cases will be monitored by the committee and reported to the state government.