[REVISION HISTORY]

Maharashtra student protests against MPSC irregularities

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2026-09-10 06:41 UTC → 2026-09-11 15:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Students in Pune and across Maharashtra have launched large-scale protests against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The demonstrations are driven by concerns regarding exam pattern irregularities, seat reductions, and a lack of transparency in recruitment processes. A specific catalyst for the unrest is an investigation by the Mumbai Police into an alleged leak of the question paper for the MPSC Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Inspector examination. In response to complaints of malpractice, the MPSC has cancelled the recruitment process for the Food and Drug Administration Department's Drug Inspector Group-B posts. Protesters have demanded the resignation of the MPSC Chairman and greater accountability. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has expressed support for the students, stating that the situation reflects a “broken trust in the entire system” and criticizing the government for paper leaks and stalled recruitments. Demonstrations have expanded to the Vidarbha region, where thousands of students gathered at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. Organized by the Vidarbha Competitive Exam Coordination Committee, the protests highlight claims that seven major examinations have been compromised by leaks over the last eight years. This movement has received solidarity from approximately 60 to 70 coaching institutes in Nagpur, which closed in support of the students. Amidst the unrest, activists have pointed to the mental toll of the examination framework following the suicide of Prathamesh Deshmukh, a 28-year-old aspirant in Pune. Police noted Deshmukh was facing significant debt and exam-related stress, a tragedy activists link to systemic failures and delays within the MPSC. Escalating tensions led to a direct confrontation in Navi Mumbai, where activists from the Sambhaji Brigade smeared black powder on the face of MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar.

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