01 October,2026 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday met a delegation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants and announced a series of measures addressing their concerns over recruitment, examination procedures and the functioning of the commission. Following the meeting, student representatives temporarily suspended their planned protest on October 2. The developments were also reported by multiple outlets based on the Chief Minister's Office statement.
One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the conduct of current and former MPSC chairpersons and members. Fadnavis said the state government cannot directly remove a chairperson or member from the constitutional post, with the procedure governed by Article 317 of the Constitution.
"A judicial inquiry will be conducted within three months, and further statutory action will be taken based on its findings. The state government has approved the immediate transfer of the current MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar to ensure transparency in operations," the Chief Minister said.
The government said the inquiry would examine the functioning of former and incumbent office-bearers, with further action to be considered based on its findings. Under Article 317, removal of an MPSC chairperson or member involves a recommendation from the Supreme Court to the President.
The examination format was another major concern raised by aspirants. Fadnavis assured the delegation that MPSC competitive examinations would continue to be conducted offline.
"No policy shift will occur without prior consultation with all student stakeholders. Overcoming longstanding bottlenecks - where recruitment rules had not been overhauled since 1960 and around 30,000-40,000 promotions remained pending - the state has completed new cadre rules for 60 per cent of departments," the Chief Minister added.
The government said no change in the examination mode would be introduced without consultations with candidates and other stakeholders.
The government also agreed to increase the number of vacancies for the Group C examination scheduled for January 3.
"The state announced plans to fill vacancies on an unprecedented scale. In response to immediate student demands, a record increase in vacancies will be added to the upcoming Group 'C' examination scheduled for January 3. A centralised system will be launched enabling candidates to take multiple competitive exams using a single, low-cost card," CM Fadnavis said.
The government has also said recruitment rules have been completed for around 60 per cent of departments, while work on the remaining departments is continuing. Officials have linked the recruitment backlog to outdated rules and pending promotions across departments.
Another proposed reform is a centralised system that would allow candidates to use a single card while appearing for multiple competitive examinations.
"Additionally, a digital repository will be created so candidates no longer need to upload repetitive documentation for every application. To streamline candidate preparation, the state will release a comprehensive three-year recruitment roadmap. Furthermore, hiring processes for posts created by upcoming retirements will begin a full year in advance. A complete execution plan will be rolled out within one month," the Chief Minister noted.
The proposed digital repository is intended to reduce the need for candidates to submit the same documents repeatedly while applying for different examinations. The government also said vacancies would be planned over a three-year period and recruitment for posts expected to fall vacant because of retirements would begin a year in advance.
Following the meeting and the government's assurances, student representatives announced that their planned October 2 agitation would be temporarily suspended.
"Satisfied with the state government's constructive response and actionable commitments, student representatives formally announced the temporary suspension of their agitation scheduled for Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). Aspirants welcomed the state government's decisive steps toward restoring transparency, timeliness, and fairness in state civil service recruitment," the government statement said.
The decision came after days of protests and demands from MPSC aspirants concerning the commission's functioning, examination procedures and delays in recruitment.
(With inputs from IANS)
