Maharashtra govt ends MPSC Secretary Harpalkar's deputation amid exam row
Synopsis
Maharashtra acted swiftly after CM Fadnavis's promise — the MPSC Secretary is out, a judicial inquiry is ordered, and offline exams are guaranteed. But with Rohit Pawar's satyagraha continuing in Pune, the Chairman's removal still unresolved, and a journalist assaulted on camera, this is far from a settled agitation.
Key Takeaways
The Maharashtra GAD on 2 October 2025 formally terminated MPSC Secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar 's deputation, citing administrative reasons.
The action fulfils a promise made by CM Devendra Fadnavis to protesting MPSC aspirants during a meeting on Wednesday .
The state also ordered a judicial inquiry into MPSC functioning and confirmed recruitment exams will remain in the offline format .
NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar launched a satyagraha in Pune , demanding the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanvar — a demand CM Fadnavis has refused to accept.
Journalist Nikhil Shukre was allegedly assaulted by protesting students; media houses at the site staged a boycott in protest.
Heavy police deployment continues on Shastri Road, Pune as the standoff between aspirants and the state administration persists.
The Maharashtra General Administration Department (GAD) on Friday, 3 October 2025, issued a formal government order terminating the deputation of Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar as Secretary of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), delivering on a commitment made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to protesting aspirants. The order cites administrative reasons for the premature curtailment of his tenure and directs Harpalkar to hand over charge immediately.
Background: What Triggered the Action
The move follows a high-level meeting between CM Fadnavis and a delegation of protesting MPSC candidates held on Wednesday. Aspirants had been demanding accountability over examination irregularities and paper leak allegations, with a specific call for the ouster of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanvar. Fadnavis had assured the delegation that the MPSC Secretary would be transferred immediately to enable a transparent inquiry, though he maintained that demanding the Chairman's resignation was neither legally grounded nor justified.
Harpalkar, a Joint Secretary-cadre officer, was originally posted on a two-year deputation in December 2025 — a tenure that has now been cut short. He has been directed to hand over charge to a designated officer with the concurrence of the MPSC Chairman, while a separate order detailing his next posting is expected shortly.
Key Reforms Announced Alongside the Transfer
Beyond the Secretary's removal, the state government announced a set of wider measures. A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the functioning of MPSC office-bearers and members. The Chief Minister also assured candidates that recruitment examinations will continue in the traditional offline format — addressing a long-standing demand from aspirants wary of digital examination vulnerabilities. Following these announcements, student organisations suspended their planned agitation, at least temporarily.
Opposition Joins the Protest, Demands Chairman's Removal
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) [NCP-SP] MLA Rohit Pawar, who joined the protest at Pune, welcomed the Secretary's transfer but maintained that the core demand — removal of Chairman Bhimanvar — remained unaddressed. In a post on social media platform X, Pawar stated: “MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar’s long-awaited transfer has finally happened—gratitude to the government for this! Now, only one major issue remains, and that is removing the corrupt chairpersons..! The government should set aside its ego, understand the genuine sentiments of the students, and immediately remove Chairperson Bhimnavar from the post.”
Pawar established a satyagraha at the site, declaring the agitation would not end without the Chairman's resignation. NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule also visited the protest site and interacted with aspirants. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) [Shiv Sena-UBT] MP Sanjay Raut was scheduled to visit on Friday evening.
Journalist Assaulted, Media Houses Stage Boycott
The demonstration took a turbulent turn when a section of protesting students allegedly targeted journalists covering the event. According to eyewitness accounts, several students aggressively confronted reporters and photojournalists, demanding they leave. The confrontation reportedly escalated into a physical assault on journalist Nikhil Shukre. Local police intervened and escorted the alleged perpetrator away. Following the attack, media organisations present at the protest site staged a unanimous boycott of coverage in protest against the assault on press freedom.
The incident drew sharp political reactions. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the violence, blaming Rohit Pawar and the Opposition for allegedly inciting hostility among student groups. Sule, however, downplayed the incident, stating that any attack on a person is unacceptable — stopping short of attributing blame.
On-Ground Situation in Pune
Heavy police deployment has transformed Shastri Road and adjacent areas in Pune into heavily guarded zones. Despite police notices issued to student representatives and the denial of permissions for certain high-density locations, aspirants remain camped out. The standoff between candidate organisations and the state administration appears set to continue until the demand for the Chairman's removal is either met or formally addressed.
Point of View
But it is calibrated — it costs the government little while buying time on the harder question of the Chairman's removal, which Fadnavis has explicitly refused to entertain on legal grounds. The real accountability test is the judicial inquiry: its terms of reference, timeline, and whether its findings bind the government to action. What is striking is the Opposition's dual role — Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule are simultaneously amplifying student pressure and absorbing its political energy ahead of state electoral cycles. The assault on journalist Nikhil Shukre adds a press freedom dimension that neither the government nor the Opposition has addressed with any seriousness.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar's deputation terminated?
Harpalkar's deputation was terminated prematurely by the Maharashtra GAD on administrative grounds, following protests by MPSC aspirants over exam irregularities and paper leak allegations. CM Devendra Fadnavis had promised protesting candidates that the Secretary would be transferred immediately to enable a fair and transparent inquiry.
What are MPSC aspirants demanding?
Aspirants are primarily demanding the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanvar over alleged exam paper leaks and operational irregularities. They also sought the transfer of the MPSC Secretary — a demand now fulfilled — and guarantees that recruitment exams will continue in the offline format.
Has CM Fadnavis agreed to remove MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanvar?
No. CM Fadnavis has explicitly stated that demanding the Chairman's resignation is neither legally grounded nor justified. While the government has transferred the Secretary and ordered a judicial inquiry, the Chairman remains in post as of now.
What other measures has the Maharashtra government announced?
Alongside the Secretary's transfer, the state ordered a judicial inquiry into the functioning of MPSC office-bearers and members, and assured aspirants that recruitment examinations will continue in the traditional offline format. Student organisations suspended their agitation following these announcements, though the protest has not fully ended.
What happened to journalist Nikhil Shukre at the Pune protest?
Journalist Nikhil Shukre was allegedly assaulted by a section of protesting students who targeted media personnel covering the demonstration. Local police intervened and escorted the alleged perpetrator away. Media houses present at the protest subsequently staged a boycott of MPSC agitation coverage in protest against the assault.
