The organisers announced on September 26 that the agitation would be deferred to October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, and would be held as a peaceful “satyagraha” outside Patrakar Bhavan near S M Joshi Bridge. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants have postponed their sit-in protest planned in Pune on Sunday (September 27, 2026) to October 2 after police denied permission for the September 27 agitation, with organisers now set to hold a “satyagraha” outside Patrakar Bhavan, Pune.
The October 2 protest has received police permission, according to the organisers. A meeting between representatives of the aspirants and the Chief Minister is also expected to be held before the agitation, though a date for the meeting has not yet been finalised.
The aspirants had earlier planned to begin a sit-in at 10 a.m. on Sunday near the S M Joshi Bridge-Abasaheb Garware College stretch over a range of demands concerning the functioning of the MPSC. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had also backed the agitation and accompanied student representatives during discussions with the Pune police over permission for the protest.
However, Pune police had refused permission for the September 27 protest, citing concerns over traffic and public order. Police had also issued notices to student representatives and administrators of Telegram groups used by MPSC aspirants, warning them against organising or encouraging an unauthorised agitation.
The organisers subsequently announced on September 26 that the agitation would be deferred to October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, and would be held as a peaceful “satyagraha” outside Patrakar Bhavan near S M Joshi Bridge. Organisers said the revised date and venue had been approved by the police.
The postponement also opens a window for talks between the aspirants and the state government. According to the organisers, a meeting with the Chief Minister is expected to take place before October 2, although its date has yet to be fixed.
The aspirants have been raising several issues concerning MPSC examinations and recruitment, including demands for greater transparency in the examination process, timely recruitment and results, and changes in the functioning of the commission. They have also sought the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The latest agitation follows an earlier protest by aspirants in Pune on September 7. Meanwhile, a state-appointed examination reforms committee headed by additional chief secretary V Radha has been consulting aspirants on changes to Maharashtra’s recruitment examination system. The panel has received more than 20,000 emails containing suggestions on issues including examination schedules, transparency in evaluation, paper leaks and communication with candidates.
Published – September 28, 2026 08:00 am IST
