Government
MPSC row explained: Paper leak, protests and the proposed panel
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to set up a panel headed by a retired High Court judge to initiate action against current and former MPSC chairpersons and members, with a report due in three months.
A paper leak was confirmed in the MPSC’s Drug Inspector examination.
Aspirants protested in Pune.
MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar was relieved of the duties.
The Chief Minister has now recommended a committee headed by a retired High Court judge.
It is to report within three months.
The recommendation is made under Article 317 of the Constitution.
Fadnavis noted that MPSC members hold constitutional posts, and that removing them requires a strict procedure.
Under Article 317, a chairperson or member can be removed only after a formal inquiry, which involves a reference to the Supreme Court and action by the President.
The agitation by aspirants intensified in Pune after a paper leak was confirmed in the Drug Inspector examination that the MPSC conducted for the Food and Drug Administration.
After assurances given in talks between the Chief Minister and student representatives, MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar was relieved of the duties.
On September 30, Fadnavis had assured students that a retired judge would inquire into the functioning of the MPSC chairman within three months.
The MPSC had earlier postponed its State Services Main Examination, which was due on October 3, and decided to re-evaluate the 2025 answer sheets.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar gave a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the removal of the MPSC chairman, according to the Free Press Journal.
He warned that more than 100,000 students could protest in Pune or march to Mantralaya if the demand was not met, according to the same report.
The protest was being held at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune, according to the Free Press Journal.
Opposition leaders including Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction have pressed the government on MPSC governance, according to UNI.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was expected to meet aspirants on October 7 and 8, according to the Free Press Journal.
The MPSC conducts recruitment examinations for posts in the Maharashtra government.
Mantralaya, Mumbai (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0