Pune, 12th October 2026: The 12-day protest by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants demanding the resignation of Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over an alleged examination paper leak has been temporarily suspended following discussions with Minister Shivendra Raje. The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the allegations and assured students that further action will be taken based on the findings.
The state government has appointed a five-member committee to investigate the alleged MPSC recruitment examination irregularities. Justice Dilip Bhosale will head the committee, while Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has been appointed its secretary.
The other members are IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, Ganesh Patil and P. D. Naik. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 60 days.
The appointment of Mundhe as secretary was among the key demands raised by protesting students, who sought a transparent and credible investigation into the allegations.
Following the government's decision to order a judicial inquiry, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced on social media that he would go on leave until the investigation was completed.
Bhimanwar stated that ethics had always been a priority for him and said the autonomy and credibility of the commission, along with the interests of students, would remain his primary concerns.
He said he had decided to step away from his duties during the inquiry rather than continue in office while the allegations were being investigated.
The students suspended their agitation after several of their demands were accepted and the government assured them of an inquiry. The decision brought temporary relief to aspirants who had been protesting in Pune for 12 days.
Following the announcement, hundreds of students celebrated the development. NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar also joined the protesting aspirants in celebrating the decision.
The suspension of the protest marks a temporary pause in the agitation, while students await the inquiry committee's findings and the government's subsequent action.