A high-level committee constituted by the Maharashtra government to reform recruitment examinations has recommended increasing the number of vacancies for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 to more than 16,000.

The committee has also proposed a one-time, one-year relaxation in the upper age limit for recruitment examinations. The recommendations were included in its interim report submitted to the state government after consultations with students and other stakeholders across Maharashtra.

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MPSC Group-C Recruitment 2026: Vacancies to Increase Beyond 16,000

Around 12 lakh candidates have applied for the MPSC Group-C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026. Currently, advertisements have been issued for more than 5,000 posts.

Various government departments have submitted requirements for over 11,000 additional posts to the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.

The committee has recommended including these additional vacancies through a corrigendum, taking the total number of posts to more than 16,000.

One-Time One-Year Age Relaxation for Recruitment Exams

Considering candidates' demands, the committee has recommended a special one-time relaxation of one year in the upper age limit.

The proposed relaxation will apply to:

-All recruitment advertisements issued after January 1, 2026, where the selection process has not yet commenced.

-Recruitment advertisements issued up to December 31, 2027.

The committee has also recommended reopening the application process for the MPSC Group-C Examination 2026 once. This would allow candidates who become eligible due to the additional vacancies and age relaxation to submit their applications.

No Changes to MPSC Group-C Prelims Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The committee has recommended retaining the existing examination pattern and syllabus for the Group-C Preliminary Examination.

It has also suggested announcing the syllabi for the Main Examination of newly included cadres at the earliest.

As a precautionary measure, the panel has recommended cancelling the earlier question-paper preparation process and preparing fresh question papers through a secure procedure.

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Strict Security Measures Recommended for Recruitment Examinations

The committee has emphasised strengthening security arrangements during the printing, storage and transportation of question papers and OMR answer sheets.

It has also recommended adequate security arrangements at examination centres, including:

-Police deployment at examination centres.

-CCTV surveillance.

-Installation of signal jammers.

-Deployment of trained security personnel.

The high-level committee was constituted through a Government Resolution dated September 4, 2026, to make Maharashtra's recruitment examination process more transparent, secure and reliable.

The interim report was submitted after the committee prioritised urgent issues raised by candidates during consultations across the state.

Credit: ANI