In a dramatic late-night demonstration, aspirants for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) police sub-inspector exam staged a protest in Pune's Shastri Road area. The agitation, which began around 1 AM on Thursday, was against the significant delay in the recruitment process and the stringent age limit that now bars many long-term candidates.
Core of the Protest: Delay and Age Barrier
The protesters have put forth a clear demand to the state government: provide immediate relief by granting a one-year relaxation in the age limit. Their central argument is that the commission's delay has unfairly disqualified numerous eligible candidates. According to the aspirants, the advertisement for the Maharashtra group B non-gazetted services combined preliminary examination 2025 was finally issued on July 29, 2025. This was nearly seven months behind schedule.
The critical issue is that the age limit is calculated as of November 1, 2025. This cutoff date, coupled with the late advertisement, has rendered many dedicated aspirants overage. "The age limit should be extended by at least one year and the cut-off date for age calculation should be January 1, 2025," stated one aspirant. "If the advertisement was released on time, many more would have remained eligible."
Scene of the Agitation and Police Action
The protest unfolded on Shastri Road, a known hub for competitive exam aspirants in Pune. Students sat on the road, raising slogans until police personnel arrived and dispersed the gathering. The police cited the enforcement of the model code of conduct for ongoing elections and the absence of prior permission for the protest as reasons for their action.
Following the protest, the Vishrambaug police took a stern step on Friday by registering a case. The charges include unlawful assembly, criminal conspiracy, and abetment of offence against ten individuals involved in the late-night demonstration. A police officer confirmed the action, stating, "They staged an agitation without prior permission, despite there being an election code of conduct in place."
Political Reactions and Official Response
The protest quickly drew attention from political figures. Rohit Pawar of the NCP (SP) criticized the government's handling of the situation. In a post on social media platform X, he alleged, "The govt kept students in the dark for the last eight to 10 days regarding the age extension decision. As a result, students were forced to protest." He added that he had spoken to police officials, requesting that no cases be filed that could harm the students' futures.
Adding to the pressure, Bacchu Kadu, president of the Prahar Janshakti Party, issued a warning to the government. He stated, "Students have peacefully sought justice. If the govt does not take an immediate decision, I will join the students in their agitation until justice is served."
In response to the demands, a senior MPSC official offered a measured reply, saying, "We will look into the demands of the students, study their requirements and take a decision accordingly." The commission has stated that the feasibility of the demands will be studied before an announcement is made.
The emotional toll on the aspirants is evident. "We do not want special treatment, just justice for the delay which is not our fault," expressed one protesting student. Another highlighted their personal sacrifice, saying, "Many of us have dedicated our youth to MPSC preparations. Losing this opportunity because of administrative laxity is devastating." The incident underscores the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding government job recruitment in Maharashtra.
