MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar removed amid exam irregularities protests

Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar was removed from his position as Secretary of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) on October 2, 2026, following a government order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD). The decision came amid ongoing protests by MPSC exam aspirants in Pune, who had raised allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the commission.

Harpalkar, a Joint Secretary-cadre officer, had been appointed to the MPSC post on deputation for two years, which was prematurely terminated for administrative reasons. His removal was a key demand of the protesting aspirants, whose delegations had previously met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Background to the Removal

MPSC aspirants have been protesting competitive examination irregularities, including question paper leaks, for an extended period. The Food and Drug Administration’s drug inspector exam paper leak was a specific incident that fueled student aggression. Protesters held both MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar handling the alleged irregularities.

The government’s decision to remove Harpalkar followed a detailed meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a delegation of aspirants. The transfer order for Harpalkar was issued on October 1, 2026, with the government order terminating his deputation following on October 2, 2026. Harpalkar was directed to immediately hand over charge of the MPSC secretary post to another officer with the consent of the commission, and a separate order regarding his new posting is expected.

Judicial Inquiry and Future Reforms

In response to the widespread concerns, a judicial inquiry has been ordered into the functioning of the former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members. This inquiry will be conducted within three months under Article 317 of the Constitution. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also assured students of a large-scale recruitment drive over the next three years, with a department-wise recruitment timetable to be prepared within one month.

Student organizations suspended their planned agitation after the transfer order and the assurance of systemic reforms. MPSC examinations will continue to be conducted offline, a decision previously made on June 26, 2026, which included removing optional subjects and online exams.

Demands for MPSC Chairman’s Resignation

While Harpalkar’s removal was a key demand, protests also called for the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar joined the protest, stating, “Victory of Student Unity. MPSC Secretary Mahendra Harpalkar’s long-awaited transfer has finally happened, gratitude to the govt for this! Now, only one major issue remains, and that is removing the corrupt Chairperson! The govt should set aside its ego, understand the genuine sentiments of the students, and immediately remove Chairperson Bhimanwar from the post.”

However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified the constitutional position of the MPSC chairman. He stated, “MPSC president is a constitutional post. The state government and governor cannot remove him from the post. They don’t have that right to do so. The decision rests with the president of India based on the recommendations of the SC.” Rohit Pawar maintained that the demand for the MPSC chairman’s resignation would continue, emphasizing the need for transparency and the impact on students’ futures.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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Further reading

• MPSC postpones three exams from October 3 amid re-evaluation, system review
• IIT Bombay mid-semester exams postponed to October 10 and 11 amid student protests