Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday formally recommended that Governor Jishnu Dev Varma constitute a high-level inquiry committee to examine allegations concerning current and former office-bearers of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The proposed committee would be headed by a retired High Court judge and is expected to submit its report within three months. The recommendation comes amid protests by MPSC aspirants over examination irregularities and a confirmed paper leak.

Fadnavis said the constitutional status of MPSC office-bearers means that their removal cannot be carried out directly by the state government or the Governor. Under Article 317 of the Constitution, the removal process involves an inquiry and action at the level prescribed by the Constitution. The proposed judicial inquiry is therefore intended to examine the conduct and functioning of current and former chairpersons and members before further action is considered.

The move follows sustained protests by examination aspirants, particularly in Pune, after a paper leak was confirmed in the MPSC Drug Inspector examination conducted for the Food and Drug Administration. According to the government’s account, three candidates who allegedly benefited directly from the leak and several alleged accomplices have been arrested. Students have also raised concerns over examination patterns, recruitment processes and accountability within the commission.

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As part of the measures announced following discussions with student representatives, MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar has been relieved of his duties. The government had earlier announced that the secretary would be transferred and that a judicial inquiry into the functioning of the commission would be completed within three months. It also assured aspirants that MPSC examinations would continue in offline mode and that changes to the examination system would be discussed with candidates and other stakeholders.

The protests have included demands for action against MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and other commission members. Opposition leaders and legislators have also backed several of the students’ demands. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad separately demanded that the commission be dissolved and indicated that he would submit evidence and a formal representation to the Chief Minister.

The latest recommendation places the proposed inquiry within the constitutional framework governing MPSC members and gives the government a time-bound mechanism to examine the allegations. The three-month inquiry is expected to assess the functioning of current and former office-bearers and provide findings on which further action can be considered. The measures are aimed at addressing concerns among aspirants and restoring confidence in the state’s competitive examination system.

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