Pune MPSC aspirants protest against paper leaks, demand chairman’s resignation

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MPSC aspirants and students during a protest march against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations in Pune on September 7, 2026. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and MLA Rohit Pawar also joined the demonstration. | Photo Credit: PTI

Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants took to the streets in Pune on Monday, alleging irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations and demanding greater transparency in the commission’s functioning and the removal of its chairman, Vivek Bhimanwar.

The ‘Vidyarthi Aakrosh Morcha’ began from the Omkareshwar Temple around 10 a.m., with protesters marching towards the Pune District Collector’s Office.

Among their key demands are accountability for alleged paper leaks, a forensic audit of examinations, an investigation into past recruitment examinations linked to officials arrested in connection with the Drug Inspector examination paper leak case, and the removal of the MPSC chairman.

According to Nitin Andhale, a student representative and one of the organisers of the protest, the students reached the District Collector’s office around 12:30 p.m. and then met the District Collector and other officials at 2 p.m. The District Collector heard all their demands and said they would like to hear what reforms should be made. The government has set up a committee to hear the demands and make reforms. Another meeting is likely scheduled for September 12.

Mr. Andhale said the examination system needed to be held accountable for irregularities that affected aspirants who prepare for competitive examinations for years.

“It is necessary to stop this corrupt system that plays with the futures of honest students who study for years,” Mr. Andhale said.

He demanded the resignation of the MPSC chairman and officials found responsible, a high-level judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities and an investigation into examinations conducted during the tenure of officials linked to paper leak cases.

“If the government does not accept these demands immediately, lakhs of students will take to the streets to hold the system accountable,” he said.

The protest has also gained major support from political parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, like the NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and MLA Rohit Pawar were present at the protest.

Mr. Pawar demanded that the MPSC accept responsibility for alleged paper leaks and said the chairman should either resign or be removed by the State government.

He also called for a forensic audit of MPSC examinations and a wider investigation into the commission’s functioning, alleging serious corruption in the recruitment process.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal extended his party’s support to the protesters and backed their demand for the chairman’s resignation. “Paper leaks have ruined the hard work and futures of lakhs of students,” Mr. Sapkal said, adding that an institution such as the MPSC must maintain transparency, impartiality and credibility in recruitment. This was a day after Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of MPSC aspirants and expressed his support to them.

Mr. Gandhi on Sunday said that “whether it is the Central or State government, every student is tormented by the BJP regime”. “Now, they have seized control of a constitutional body like MPSC and destroyed its credibility. Every demand from students for their successful future is justified. The government must listen to their voice and act immediately — otherwise, this echo of the students will only grow louder until justice is served,” he said.

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil also supported the protest, saying allegations of paper leaks, malpractice and irregularities must be investigated and that the government should establish a transparent and reliable examination system.

Akshay Jain, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress Media Department, said repeated allegations of paper leaks, examination irregularities and changes in recruitment rules had created uncertainty among aspirants.

“We do not need assurances; we need answers and accountability,” he said.

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