The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has agreed to increase the age limit for the Maharashtra Group-B and Group-C (Non-Gazetted) preliminary exams by one year. This decision came after students demanded it. Now, candidates will have more time to apply.
Students Demand More Vacant Posts
While students are happy about the age limit increase, they are also asking the government to increase the number of job posts. In Group B, there are around 3,000 vacant posts for Police Sub-Inspectors (PSI), but only 216 posts are being filled through direct recruitment. Many posts in Group C are also lying vacant. Students want the government to add more of these posts in the current recruitment advertisement.
Long Delay Caused Problems for Students
There was a nine-month delay in sending the list of vacant posts to the MPSC. Because of this, the exam advertisement was also delayed, and many students lost a valuable year. After several protests, the government finally agreed to increase the age limit as a form of relief.
Usually, 3 to 4 lakh students apply for these exams. But the number of posts is much lower. This has especially upset students applying for PSI positions, where 2,951 posts are vacant but only 216 are being filled. This big difference has made many candidates angry.
Current Advertisement Details
The current recruitment includes:
Group B: 216 PSIs, 208 Sales Tax Inspectors, 55 Assistant Cell Officers
Group C: 803 Clerk-Typists, 482 Tax Assistants, 9 Technical Assistants, 39 Industrial Inspectors
When the clerk-typist recruitment was handed over to MPSC, the government promised to fill 12,000 posts. But now, only a small number have been announced.
Students Want Government Action
Student organisations are urging the Devendra Fadnavis government to include more vacant posts in this advertisement. They say this will help reduce pressure on the police force and give unemployed youth a chance at jobs.
Suraj Gajjalwar, President of the Nagpur District Competitive Examination Coordination Committee, said, “There are many students preparing for the PSI exam. The police department needs more people, and at least 1,000 posts should be filled to reduce pressure on the current force.”
Mahesh Gharbude, President of the Competitive Examination Students Association, said, “The government should care about students’ futures. We should not have to protest every time we ask for our rights.”
