MPSC raises Group C posts to 16,717 ahead of Diwali; candidates can apply afresh

Good news has come just before Diwali for students preparing for examinations of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The number of posts in the Maharashtra Group C Services Joint Preliminary Examination has been increased. Recruitment will now be held for a total of 16,717 posts. The decision is likely to bring big relief to thousands of candidates dreaming of a government job.

MLA Vikram Pachpute explained the background to the decision. A delegation of students led by him had met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. At that meeting, several demands of the students were placed before the Chief Minister, including an increase in the number of posts in MPSC examinations. The Chief Minister had then given his word that a positive decision would be taken on the students' demands. The commission subsequently decided to increase the number of posts. Pachpute said that the Chief Minister had therefore kept his word.

Students had demanded that the ratio of posts to candidates in the examination be at least 1:100. Today, lakhs of students sit competitive examinations for a few thousand posts, meaning there are few posts and very many candidates. Pachpute said that if the posts increase, more candidates will get the chance to enter government service. He said that with recruitment now to be held for 16,717 posts, students will benefit greatly.

The upper age limit was also an issue. Recruitment had been stalled in the recent past for various reasons, and many candidates were likely to miss the examination because of the age limit. Keeping this in mind, a demand had been made for a relaxation of at least one year in the age limit. Pachpute clarified that this demand has also been accepted.

After the increase in posts, candidates will be able to apply afresh. They will also get an opportunity to submit their preferences. It has also been stated that the examination will be held offline. The additional posts will give students preparing for the examination another chance.

According to Pachpute, Chief Minister Fadnavis has now given priority to the issues of youth, as he has to those of farmers and women. He also said that the Maharashtra Public Service Commission's acceptance of the recommendations made by the V. Radha committee has cleared the way for justice for students.