MPSC protest splits as groups press demands

Groups of aspirants protesting against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) in the city have split, with one group seeking the resignation of chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, another seeking a return to the MCQ pattern of examination, and a third seeking continuation of the 2025 pattern.

A delegation of the protesters met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 30, 2026, following which the agitation was suspended and later resumed. The groups now protest at three separate locations: S.M. Joshi Bridge, Lal Bahadur Shastri Road near Ahilya Abhyasika, and Tilak Chowk/Alka Chowk.

A document submitted by the delegation listed demands including recruitment to 70,000 posts, the appointment of a chairman after consultation with aspirants and checks into his record, the conduct of MPSC examinations at centres, and an investigation into irregularities in examinations.

The group seeking Mr. Bhimanwar’s resignation also wants a system like Rajasthan’s, under which candidates can appear for examinations through the year using a card allowing 100 examinations.

The group alleged that the government was trying to suppress the agitation by issuing notices and threatening students, coaching class operators, and administrators of Telegram channels, according to Rohit Pawar, MLA and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader, who joined the protest and said the government should hold talks with the aspirants. A protester said the group did not fear threats, and that the government should talk to them instead of issuing threats.

The groups have demanded that the government publish a calendar for examinations, fill posts, hold examinations at centres, complete recruitment, and set a date for talks. The MPSC, the State government and Mr. Fadnavis have not issued a statement on the demands.

Mr. Pawar said he would support the aspirants and raise the demands in the Assembly. The groups are set to meet at S.M. Joshi Bridge to decide on a course of action. Protesters said the agitation would continue without violence as they await a response from the government.