Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants protested in Pune, demanding age relaxation for Police Sub-Inspector recruitment ahead of the Group-B prelims on January 4, 2026. Police filed cases against some protesters, while political leaders voiced support for the cause.
On January 1 and 2, 2026, thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants took to the streets of Pune, demanding age relaxation for Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment in the MPSC Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2025, scheduled for January 4, 2026. The exam, originally set for December 21, 2025, was postponed due to vote counting for Maharashtra's municipal council elections.
Vishrambaug Police registered a case against 20 protesters on January 1 under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Maharashtra Police Act for an unauthorized gathering of 30-40 aspirants on Shastri Road, where they shouted slogans. On January 2, a larger crowd of thousands assembled near Bhide Bridge, joined by Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange-Patil in support.
An anonymous aspirant at the protest explained, “The regular advertisement for the MPSC 2025 prelims should have been released in November-December 2025. However, this time it was released in July 2025 and the exam is being held in January 2026. The age limit cutoff for this exam has been set as November 2025. Due to the government's delay in announcement, aspirants who would usually be eligible for the 2025 exam are now excluded. This is unfair.” The age limit for open category candidates in PSI recruitment stands at 31 years.
Rohit Pawar of the NCP (SP) expressed support on X on January 1: “Even as the Combined Preliminary Exam 2025 is just a few days away, students are unnecessarily suffering due to the delay in the decision on increasing the age limit for PSI. The advertisement itself was already delayed by 7-8 months. Instead of trying to suppress the ongoing student agitation in Pune by using force, the government should engage in dialogue with the students and resolve this issue amicably.” Pawar also urged police to reconsider filing cases against the protesters.
The Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination is slated for January 11, 2026.
