06 October,2026 12:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has recommended a panel to examine the functioning of former and incumbent MPSC leadership. File pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has recommended setting up a committee to examine the conduct of former and incumbent chairpersons and members of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) amid allegations of examination paper leaks and irregularities.
Fadnavis has sent the recommendation to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, according to sources. The proposed panel is to be headed by a retired High Court judge and submit its report within three months, following which further action would be considered based on its findings.
The recommendation has been made under Article 317 of the Constitution, which deals with the removal and suspension of chairpersons and members of public service commissions.
The move comes as MPSC aspirants continue their protest in Pune, with the main demand being the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. The agitation, which entered its sixth day on Tuesday, has received support from leaders and organisations from different political backgrounds.
The protesters have raised several demands, including concerns over the format of MPSC examinations. However, the demand for Bhimanwar's removal remains the central issue.
The proposed inquiry follows a meeting between Fadnavis and a delegation of MPSC aspirants on September 30. The government had subsequently announced that a judicial inquiry would examine the functioning of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members within three months under Article 317.
The Maharashtra government has also terminated the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar amid the controversy surrounding the commission's functioning.
The action came after students had sought action against both Harpalkar and Bhimanwar. While the government moved against the secretary, the issue of the chairman's removal has remained at the centre of the ongoing agitation.
The government has maintained that the MPSC chairman holds a constitutional position, making the process for removal different from that applicable to ordinary government officials. Fadnavis had earlier said the state government and governor could not simply remove the chairman.
MPSC aspirants have been protesting at multiple locations in Pune over alleged paper leaks, examination-related irregularities and recruitment concerns. The demonstrations have also drawn support from opposition leaders and other political figures.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to meet the protesting aspirants on October 7 or 8. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has also warned of further escalation if the demand for action against the MPSC chairman is not addressed.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has also backed the protesting aspirants and called for accountability over alleged paper leaks and recruitment-related concerns.
The latest recommendation by Fadnavis is now expected to provide a formal mechanism for examining the functioning of the commission's current and former leadership before further action is considered.
(With inputs from PTI)
