Amid BMC election 2026 duties, the Maharashtra Progressive Teachers' Association has urged YCMOU to hold January 2026 exams after January 16, citing excessive workload, mental stress and administrative challenges for teachers and staff on election duty
-1767627103010_d.png "BMC election 2026: Teachers body demands YCMOU exams to be held after January 16")
The demand comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Maharashtra civic polls. Representational Pic/ YCMOU website
The Maharashtra Progressive Teachers' Association (MPTA) has demanded that the January 2026 examinations of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) be conducted only after January 16, citing the heavy workload and mental stress caused by simultaneous election duties ahead of the BMC Election 2026.
The demand comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Maharashtra civic polls and the much-anticipated BMC elections in 2026, for which a large number of teachers and non-teaching staff have been appointed on election duty.
With YCMOU examinations scheduled during the same period, the teacher’s association has warned of serious administrative and academic difficulties.
While issuing an official representation submitted to the university administration, the association has urged that all examinations should be postponed until the completion of the election process.
Furthermore, the State President of the Association, Tanaji Kamble, clarified that election duty is a mandatory government responsibility for teachers and non-teaching employees, and assigning examination-related work at the same time is unfair and stressful.
YCMOU: Managing election duty and university examinations simultaneously affects mental health
Kamble stressed that managing both election duty and university examinations simultaneously affects mental health, examination planning, and the overall quality and transparency of the examination process.” He also hinted that postponing the exams would ensure a smoother and stress-free conduct.
Echoing similar concerns, Yuvraj Kalashetti also pointed out that election-related responsibilities include training, polling day duties, counting of votes, and post-election administrative work.
Conducting university examinations during this period, he said, is impractical and could adversely affect teachers, staff, and students alike.
The association has further urged the YCMOU administration to take a practical and humane decision by rescheduling the examinations after January 16. Association, while putting up their demands, had also made it clear that follow-up on the issue will continue until a final decision is taken.
The Maharashtra Progressive Teachers' Association expressed hope that the university authorities would take the situation seriously and ensure that both the election process and academic examinations are conducted smoothly, fairly, and without unnecessary stress on employees or students.
Preparations for upcoming polls disrupt academic life at Mumbai's Wilson College
Preparations for the BMC election 2026 have had an unintended impact on staff and students at Wilson College, which overlooks Girgaon Chowpatty. Seven spaces on the college’s ground floor, including the assembly hall, lecture, audio-visual, and common rooms, have been put to use for election duty, taking a toll on academic and extracurricular activities.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
