In 2024, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has faced significant challenges in conducting the state service preliminary examination and the combined preliminary examination. Despite eight months having passed, neither exam has been held, and the MPSC has postponed the exams four times this year. Each rescheduled date has been pushed back due to various complications.
The delays have primarily stemmed from several issues, including the lack of demand letters from the government for vacancies in various departments. This has affected the release of the advertisement for the combined preliminary examination. Additionally, the examination does not yet include vacancies from the agriculture department, further complicating the process.
Approximately 600,000 to 650,000 students are preparing for these exams, many of whom are nearing the age limit for eligibility. The repeated postponements have led to increasing anxiety among these candidates, who fear they may be disqualified if the exams are not conducted within this year.
MPSC Secretary Suvarna Kharat has indicated that the date for the state service pre-exam will be set in consideration of the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) exam schedule. The inclusion of agriculture department vacancies is still under review, and the government has been asked to provide vacancies from all departments for the joint pre-exam. Only after receiving these details will the advertisement for the combined preliminary examination be issued.
The initial exam date was set for April 28, but the examination was postponed due to the Maratha reservation issue, which required adjustments to allow students to choose between 'SEBC' or Kunbi instead of 'EWS'. Subsequent dates were set for July 6, then July 21, and finally August 25. Each of these dates was also postponed, with the most recent delay leaving students uncertain about the new schedule. The MPSC stated that a new date would be announced soon after the August 25 postponement, but as of now, no further information has been provided.
There is now speculation that the exams might be held after Diwali, partly due to the upcoming elections, which could impact the scheduling. The ongoing delays and lack of clarity have left thousands of students in a state of uncertainty, adding to the challenges they face in preparing for these crucial examinations.
