MPSC Secretary transferred over paper leak as aspirants protest

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission secretary has been transferred following widespread protests by civil service aspirants over a question paper leak. The government issued the transfer order for MPSC secretary Mahendra Harpalkar on October 1, acting on a key demand made by student delegates who met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis two days earlier.

Protesters had held both MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and Harpalkar responsible for alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. However, the government has retained the chairman in his position. Fadnavis explained that the MPSC president is a constitutional post that cannot be removed by the state government or governor, stating that such a decision rests with the President of India based on recommendations of the Supreme Court.

Fadnavis assured students of a large-scale recruitment drive over the next three years, including vacancies from retirements, with a department-wise recruitment timetable to be prepared within a month. The Chief Minister also committed to conducting MPSC exams offline and consulting student groups before making future decisions.