MPSC gets acting chairman: Satish Waghole given additional charge amid paper leak crisis
Synopsis
Maharashtra's MPSC is effectively headless — its chairman on leave and secretary transferred — after a student uprising over alleged exam paper leaks forced a judicial inquiry. With a retired judge tasked to report within two months and interim officials holding the fort, the credibility of one of India's busiest state recruitment bodies hangs in the balance.
Key Takeaways
Satish Baban Waghole , an MPSC member, was given additional charge as MPSC Chairman on 16 October 2026 by the Maharashtra government.
Saurabh Katiyar (IAS) , District Collector of Mumbai Suburban, was simultaneously given additional charge of MPSC Secretary .
The posts fell vacant after chairman Vivek Bhimanwar proceeded on leave and secretary Mahendra Harpalkar was transferred amid student protests.
A judicial inquiry committee headed by retired Justice Dilip Bhosle has been constituted to probe the alleged MPSC paper leak, with a two-month deadline.
Competitive exam aspirants staged an 11-day protest in Pune , demanding an independent investigation, transparency, and leadership resignations.
The inquiry committee's formal notification awaits Governor's approval before work can begin.
The Maharashtra government on Friday, 16 October 2026, assigned the additional charge of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman to Satish Baban Waghole, an existing member of the commission, as the top post lay vacant following the exit of its previous chief amid a widening paper leak controversy.
The Official Order
The appointment was confirmed through an order issued by the General Administration Department. The order stated that MPSC member Satish Baban Waghole had been handed the additional charge as MPSC Chairman. Concurrently, Saurabh Katiyar (IAS), currently serving as the District Collector of Mumbai Suburban, was assigned the additional charge of MPSC Secretary — a post that had fallen vacant after the transfer of the previous secretary, Mahendra Harpalkar, in the wake of student protests.
Why the Post Fell Vacant
The immediate trigger was the decision by outgoing MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar to proceed on leave, following the Maharashtra government's announcement of a judicial inquiry committee headed by retired Justice Dilip Bhosle. The committee has been granted two months to investigate the alleged MPSC paper leak case. Bhimanwar reportedly stated, while departing, that he had always prioritised ethics throughout his life. The formal notification for the inquiry panel is pending Governor's approval, after which the committee will formally commence its work.
The Paper Leak Agitation That Triggered the Crisis
The leadership churn at the MPSC follows an 11-day protest in Pune by competitive exam aspirants who raised serious allegations of leaks in recently conducted examination papers. The students demanded a thorough independent investigation, full procedural transparency, and the immediate resignation of top commission leadership. The agitation ultimately led to the transfer of the MPSC secretary and, subsequently, the leave of absence by the chairman himself — marking one of the most significant leadership disruptions in the commission's recent history.
What Comes Next
With both the chairman and secretary posts now under interim charge, the MPSC faces a critical period as the Bhosle committee prepares to begin its inquiry. Officials indicated that the process of formalising Bhimanwar's replacement will be initiated only after the committee submits its report and the government takes a formal decision on its findings. Until then, Waghole and Katiyar will steer the commission through what is expected to be a closely scrutinised period for Maharashtra's public recruitment machinery.
Point of View
Deferring it to the Bhosle committee. Two-month inquiry windows have a habit of stretching in Indian administrative practice, and with hundreds of thousands of competitive exam aspirants watching, a delayed or inconclusive report could reignite agitation. The real test for the Maharashtra government is whether the inquiry produces enforceable findings or becomes another containment exercise.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been appointed as the new MPSC Chairman in Maharashtra?
MPSC member Satish Baban Waghole has been given the additional charge of MPSC Chairman by the Maharashtra government on 16 October 2026. This is an interim arrangement while the substantive post remains vacant.
Why did MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar go on leave?
Vivek Bhimanwar proceeded on leave after the Maharashtra government announced a judicial inquiry committee — headed by retired Justice Dilip Bhosle — to investigate the alleged MPSC paper leak case. He reportedly stated he had always prioritised ethics throughout his life.
What is the MPSC paper leak case about?
The case centres on allegations by competitive exam aspirants that question papers for recent MPSC recruitment examinations were leaked. Students staged an 11-day protest in Pune demanding an independent probe, procedural transparency, and the resignation of top commission leadership.
What is the Dilip Bhosle committee and when will it report?
The committee, headed by retired Justice Dilip Bhosle, has been constituted to investigate the MPSC paper leak allegations and has been given two months to submit its findings. Its formal notification is pending Governor's approval before work can begin.
Who is the new MPSC Secretary and why was the post vacant?
IAS officer Saurabh Katiyar, District Collector of Mumbai Suburban, has been given additional charge as MPSC Secretary. The post fell vacant after the transfer of the previous secretary, Mahendra Harpalkar, following the student agitation against alleged paper leaks.
