Panel recommends over 16,000 posts for MPSC Group C exam, one-time age relaxation of a year

A high-level committee has recommended increasing the number of posts in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Group C combined preliminary examination 2026 to more than 16,000. It has also suggested a one-time, one-year relaxation in the upper age limit for all recruitment examinations.

The committee is headed by IAS officer V. Radha. It has submitted its interim report to the Maharashtra government. According to a government statement issued on Thursday, the report suggests measures to make the recruitment process more transparent, secure and trustworthy.

About 12 lakh candidates have applied for the Group C examination 2026. Posts numbering more than 5,000 have so far been advertised for it. In addition, various government departments have sent the MPSC requisitions for more than 11,000 further posts. The committee has said these posts should also be brought into the same recruitment process. If that happens, the total number of posts will go above 16,000.

The recommendations come at a time when allegations of irregularities and unfair means in MPSC examinations are being made, and candidates preparing for the examinations are protesting.

On the age limit, the committee has, as a special measure, asked for a one-time, one-year relaxation in the upper age limit for all recruitment examinations. The relaxation would apply to advertisements issued after January 1, 2026, whose selection process has not yet begun. It is proposed to remain in force until December 31, 2027.

The committee has also suggested that the application process for the Group C examination be reopened. This would allow candidates who become eligible because of the increased posts and the proposed age relaxation to apply as well.

It has advised keeping the existing pattern and syllabus of the Group C preliminary examination unchanged. It has also asked for the main examination syllabus for the new cadres to be included to be announced as early as possible. According to the statement, the aim of the recommendations is to address candidates' concerns and keep the recruitment process uniform despite the addition of posts.

As a precaution, the committee has recommended cancelling the current question paper preparation exercise and setting new papers in a secure manner. The proposal comes amid concern over alleged irregularities in MPSC recruitment examinations. The committee has also called for tight security during the printing, storage and transport of question papers and answer sheets.

Several arrangements have also been suggested for examination centres, including police deployment, CCTV monitoring and the use of signal jammers. Stronger security measures have also been sought at every level of handling examination material, from printing to transport and storage.

The committee was formed on September 4, 2026, following protests by MPSC candidates and allegations of irregularities.