In a series of escalating protests, Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) students are voicing their frustrations over alleged irregularities in the examination process, prompting stern warnings from the Pune City Police. On April 16, 2025, Deputy Commissioner of Zone 1, Sandeep Singh Gill, addressed the media, urging students to prioritize their studies and engage in lawful protests rather than disruptive demonstrations.
The backdrop to these protests is a growing dissatisfaction among MPSC aspirants regarding the preliminary examination results. Many students claim that despite scoring above the declared cut-off, they were not included in the merit list, raising serious concerns about transparency in the selection process.
On April 11, a protest organized by MPSC students on Shastri Road led to significant traffic disruptions, prompting local residents to voice their complaints. DCP Gill intervened at the protest site, advising students to conduct their demonstrations legally and peacefully, preferably near the District Collector’s office. During his address, he emphasized that while students have the right to protest, they must do so within the boundaries of the law, warning that unauthorized protests could lead to legal consequences.
The police have since initiated an investigation into individuals inciting these protests and operating illegal coaching classes that do not comply with legal requirements. Gill stated, "Some individuals, including class and coaching center operators, are organizing protests without engaging in serious study for competitive exams." He further noted that these individuals are reportedly encouraging students to join protests that distract from the academic focus necessary for their exams.
In a related development, the MPSC website faced significant outrage on April 16, displaying multiple errors, including "No data found" and "No image found," coinciding with the protests demanding a postponement of the upcoming examination. Thousands of students gathered near the district collectorate, expressing their dissatisfaction with the MPSC's decisions, particularly regarding the reinstatement of original Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) vacancies.
Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), met with MPSC aspirants on April 15, where he assured them he would raise their grievances with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Joint Preliminary Examination Combine (JPE), which is set to fill multiple positions, including PSI, state tax inspector (STI), and assistant section officer (ASO), is tentatively scheduled for September 2025. Pawar justified the demand for an increase in vacancies, stating, "The number of vacancies advertised is inadequate... If the benefit of the commission's decision to raise the qualifying age for appearing for the exam is to be extended to these students, the government should not have any issue in increasing the number of vacancies."
The aspirants are also demanding a 45-day postponement of the State Services Main Examination, citing concerns over the fairness of the selection process. During the protests, one student highlighted that the preliminary exam results, declared on March 12, included Maratha candidates under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota, despite their eligibility under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category. This has led to the exclusion of genuine EWS candidates from the main examination.
As the protests continue, students are calling for the government to address their concerns regarding reservation discrepancies to ensure equal opportunities for all eligible candidates. The police's firm stance on maintaining order during these demonstrations underscores the delicate balance between students' rights to protest and the need for public order.
In a final note, the police reiterated their commitment to ensuring that students can express their grievances without disrupting public order. DCP Gill's message was clear: students must focus on their education while engaging in social causes in a lawful and disciplined manner.
