MPSC protests erupt in Maharashtra over paper leaks

Thousands of students from the Vidarbha region gathered at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur to protest against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the state government. The demonstrations, organized under the Vidarbha Competitive Exam Coordination Committee, demand transparency in the examination system and accountability following recent paper leak allegations.

Protesters highlighted that seven major examinations have been compromised by leaks over the past eight years, including a recent incident involving the Drug Inspector position that led to the arrest of an MPSC official. Students are calling for the resignation of the current Chairman and Secretary, alongside the appointment of competent and transparent officials. The movement saw significant support from approximately 60 to 70 coaching institutes in Nagpur, which closed their doors in solidarity.

Amidst these protests, a 28-year-old MPSC aspirant, Prathamesh Deshmukh, died by suicide in Pune. Police reported that Deshmukh, originally from Dharashiv district, was struggling with significant debt and the mental stress of exam preparation. Activists have linked such tragedies to the systemic failures, delays, and lack of accountability within the current examination framework.