Pune MPSC aspirants stage sit-in over paper leaks and demands for chairman's resignation

Hundreds of students have gathered on Pune's S.M. Joshi Bridge to demand the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar following multiple exam paper leaks in 2026. The protesters began their agitation on October 1, calling for transparency and reforms in the recruitment process.

Demands and Official Stance

The agitating students are demanding that 70,000 vacant posts be filled and that Maharashtra adopt a system similar to Rajasthan, where applicants can take four exams for 100 rupees. Meanwhile, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated that police had facilitated a meeting with the Chief Minister on September 30 where all demands submitted in a September 24 letter were met, though students subsequently launched their protest. Police have since filed first information reports against 15 organisers for unlawful assembly and public nuisance, and separately booked five people for flying a drone at the site.

Political backing

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has thrown his weight behind the protesters, asking the Maharashtra government to clarify its stand by Sunday evening and demanding that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis prioritise aspirants' concerns. Pawar also visited the Vishrambaug police station to demand an FIR be registered against himself after cases were filed against student representatives, claiming that nearly 25 lakh students are directly or indirectly affected by the issue.

Context

Public service commission exams serve as a primary gateway for young people from rural and farming families to secure stable government employment in India. Paper leaks and shifting exam schedules place a severe financial strain on candidates who must extend their stay in cities like Pune for months or years while living on tight budgets.