The MPSC student protest in Pune has been suspended in principle after the Maharashtra government announced an inquiry into allegations of examination irregularities and said commission chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar would remain on leave until the investigation is completed. The announcements were made at the protest site on Sunday night, according to a report by Lokmat – Pune.
The inquiry committee will be chaired by former judge Dilip Bhosale, with retired official Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and Justice P. D. Naik as members. Tukaram Mundhe will serve as the committee’s secretary. The committee is expected to examine allegations relating to the functioning of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, with protest leader Rohit Pawar saying that its scope should extend from the commission’s chairperson to its lowest-ranking staff.
The protest had been under way at the S. M. Joshi Bridge in Pune since October 1. Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, who represented the government in discussions with the protesters, appealed to the students to end the agitation and handed over a draft of the government’s proposed response to Pawar and Dr Vishwajeet Kadam. Pawar said the decision would be taken only after the draft was read.
The government has also agreed in principle to several demands raised by the students, according to the report. These include completing recruitment processes within a year, conducting examinations for all posts offline, publishing the Group C waiting list and implementing a single-card system for candidates. The V. Radha Committee will determine examination fees, which are expected to remain below Rs 300. The government has also accepted a demand to define the time period from which current-affairs questions may be drawn.
Other assurances include publishing the sanctioned structure of government posts every year and filling at least 500 posts through the 2027 State Services recruitment advertisement. The government has also indicated a positive position on providing stipends to competitive-examination students. The report said vacancies in the Public Works Department would also be filled through the MPSC process.
The government has further promised to withdraw cases registered against students during the MPSC students’ satyagraha and other related protests. Notices issued to students, private coaching-class operators and administrators of channels on messaging platforms are also expected to be withdrawn. The government has assured that no further action will be taken against them for reasons connected with these protests, according to the report.
The proposed recruitment expansion is one of the largest commitments reported in the government’s response. The state has taken a positive position on beginning the process of filling about 70,000 posts over three years through MPSC and direct recruitment. Group C positions will be included, and the number of such posts in upcoming recruitment is expected to be more than doubled. The number of posts for the Group C examination scheduled for January 3, 2027, is also expected to be increased, with further recruitment planned through examinations in 2027.
The immediate next step is the formal inquiry into the allegations and the government’s implementation of the assurances made at the protest site. The report does not specify when the committee will submit its findings or the formal process through which the MPSC chairperson’s leave will be administered.
