Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants late on Sunday, October 11, 2026, ended their 10-day agitation in Pune after the Maharashtra government formed a five-member committee, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe appointed as its secretary, to probe alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the recruitment body. Simultaneously, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced in a post on X that he had proceeded on leave until the inquiry was completed.
Ten-Day Pune Protest Ends Following Government Delegation Talks
Joshi Bridge in Pune. Demonstrators demanded action and accountability over controversies including the Drug Inspector examination paper leak, alongside administrative reforms and a preference for offline examinations. As the agitation entered its 10th day, a State government delegation led by Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale met the protesters to announce that most of their demands had been accepted. According to reporting from The Times of India, the agitation was led and supported by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam.
During the negotiations, protesters insisted that Mr. Bhimanwar’s removal remained their primary demand. When NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar proposed that the government keep Mr. Bhimanwar away from the chairman’s post until the inquiry finished—noting that the formal resignation process could take time—confusion and differences emerged at the protest site. While some aspirants agreed, others refused to call off the demonstration unless Mr. Bhimanwar was removed entirely. Minister Bhosale then left the venue to discuss the demand with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, returning after about 15 minutes to confirm the State government had agreed, after which Vivekanad Patil, one of the student representatives, announced the end of the agitation.
Did You Know? Naik. Additionally, the State government previously terminated the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Harpalkar on October 1 due to administrative reasons following examination irregularities.
Inquiry Committee and Conceded Demands
Minister Bhosale outlined the scope of the committee and confirmed that several other demands raised by the aspirants would be addressed. These commitments included the withdrawal of police cases against 15 representatives of the agitation who had been booked by Pune Police for organizing the protest without permission, obstructing traffic, and violating prohibitory orders. The government also agreed to recruitment for 70,000 posts over three years, an increase in the number of seats for the Group C examination scheduled for January, and mandatory background checks on the chairman and secretary of the MPSC prior to their appointment.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar welcomed Mr. Mundhe’s appointment to the panel, stating, We hope the committee will have the freedom to work properly.
Earlier, Mr. Pawar had urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prioritize the concerns of nearly 25 lakh students affected by the issue over his personal ties to Mr. Bhimanwar. Meanwhile, Mr. Bhimanwar defended his record in his social media statement announcing his leave, writing, Throughout my entire life, I have always prioritised ethics. Therefore, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post until this inquiry is completed.
Expert Insight: The rapid convergence of high-profile political backing, student mobilization, and administrative restructuring highlights the intense pressure state recruitment bodies face when examination integrity is compromised. Suspending key leadership while deploying a multi-member judicial and bureaucratic panel represents a structured attempt to restore institutional credibility without triggering prolonged civil unrest.
Political Reactions and Opposition Responses
Prominent national and state leaders weighed in on the resolution of the protests. According to coverage from The Telegraph India, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi welcomed the decision in a post on X, calling it a big victory for the students, a big victory for the youth, a big victory for Satyagraha,
and asserting that the departure of the chairman paves the way for a full investigation into corruption. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also praised the outcome on X, pointing to the unity of student and youth power while criticizing the delay in resolving the grievances of candidates whose home talukas faced drought conditions.
Conversely, ETV Bharat reported that earlier discussions surrounding the probe mechanisms involved debates over constitutional authority, with MLA Rohit Pawar claiming that proposals regarding board member investigations under Article 317 required gubernatorial rather than ministerial oversight. Joshi Bridge have officially ceased following the late-night administrative concessions.
Aspirants end protest after government forms inquiry committee
When did the MPSC aspirants end their agitation, and what prompted the decision?
Aspirants ended their 10-day protest late on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after a State government delegation confirmed the formation of an inquiry committee under senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe and announced that MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar had proceeded on leave.
Who are the members of the newly formed probe committee?
Naik.
What additional concessions did the Maharashtra government offer to the protesting students?
State representatives agreed to withdraw cases filed against 15 agitation representatives, recruit for 70,000 posts over three years, increase Group C examination seats for January, and conduct background checks on future MPSC chairmen and secretaries before appointment.
What steps do you think the newly formed committee should prioritize first to restore trust in the state recruitment process?
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