The 11-day protest by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants at Pune’s SM Joshi Bridge is likely to end late on Sunday after the state government agreed to address most of their demands and agreed to send MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave till probe panel completes inquiry.
The proposed five-member inquiry committee will examine alleged irregularities in MPSC examinations and recommend reforms. The inquiry will cover alleged paper leaks and other malpractices in examinations conducted for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Group B services, internal Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment, and the agriculture and excise departments. The draft also provides for the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against agitation organisers and assures aspirants that they will not face action for participating in the protest.
The proposed inquiry period has been reduced from 90 days to 60 days. On recruitment, the government has proposed doubling vacancies for the January 3, 2027, Group C examination, short of the threefold increase sought by protesters. Other proposals include a 50:50 distribution for promotions to posts such as deputy superintendent of police, changes to recruitment for technical posts, and a streamlined examination framework for agencies such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA).
Police had earlier described the agitation as unauthorised and said video recordings were being used to identify participants.
Headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale, the committee is expected to complete its work within 60 days, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe serving as secretary.
The government officials said it would consider asking Bhimanwar to step aside until a committee completes its inquiry into alleged examination malpractices.
Wagh held additional charge as chairman when the FDA paper leak came to light in January 2026. The protesters have also demanded scrutiny of MPSC member Abhay Wagh’s role.
Pawar said Mundhe must be allowed to conduct an independent investigation without interference.
