In Pune, thousands protested for age relaxation in MPSC prelims, leading to police action against some demonstrators.
Thousands of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants protested in Pune on January 1 and 2. They demanded age relaxation for Police Sub Inspector (PSI) recruitment through the MPSC Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2025, which is scheduled for January 4, 2026.
The Vishrambaug Police booked 20 protesters on January 1 under various sections of the BNS and Maharashtra Police Act. This smaller protest involved around 30 to 40 aspirants who gathered illegally on Shastri Road and shouted slogans.
On January 2, a larger crowd of thousands gathered near Bhide Bridge, supported by Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange-Patil.
An anonymous aspirant stated, “The MPSC 2025 prelims exam advertisement should have been released in November-December 2025. Instead, it was released in July 2025, and the exam is now in January 2026. The age limit cutoff is set for November 2025. Due to the government’s delay, many eligible candidates are now excluded. This is unfair, which is why we are protesting.” The age limit for open category candidates for the PSI recruitment is 31 years.
Rohit Pawar of the NCP(SP) supported the students on January 1 via a post on X (formerly Twitter). He said, “Students are suffering due to the delay in increasing the age limit for PSI. The advertisement was delayed by 7-8 months, and the government should engage in dialogue with the students instead of using force.” He also mentioned that he spoke with police officers about reconsidering the cases against the protesters.
The Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Preliminary Examination – 2025 was originally set for December 21 but was postponed to January 4 due to the State Election Commission’s announcement regarding the counting of votes for Municipal Council in Maharashtra on December 21. The Maharashtra Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination – 2025 is scheduled for January 11, 2026.
| Date | Event | Location | Police Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Protest by 30-40 aspirants | Shastri Road, Pune | 20 protesters booked |
| January 2, 2025 | Large protest with thousands | Bhide Bridge, Pune | No immediate action reported |
| January 4, 2026 | MPSC Group-B Preliminary Exam | Pune | N/A |
