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

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.

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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.