Mumbai, July 16 (IANS) The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has deferred the introduction of computer-based testing for Group C recruitment examinations until July 2027 following protests by aspirants. The 2026 preliminary examination will now be conducted in offline OMR mode, with revised exam dates, extended application deadlines, and fresh instructions for selecting examination centres.

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has postponed the implementation of the computer-based test (CBT) mode for its Group C recruitment examinations until July 2027, following weeks of protests by competitive examination aspirants across the state. The decision marks a significant policy reversal and provides relief to thousands of candidates who had raised concerns over the immediate transition to online examinations.With the rollback, the Maharashtra Group C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 will now be conducted in the traditional offline OMR-based format instead of the proposed computer-based mode.

MPSC postpones CBT implementation

The commission issued a corrigendum on July 16 announcing that the CBT system will not be introduced for Group C recruitment examinations before July 2027. The decision was taken after sustained opposition from aspirants, who argued that the existing digital ecosystem was not adequately prepared for such a transition.Candidates, particularly from rural and remote regions, had expressed concerns about unequal access to computer facilities, internet connectivity, and familiarity with online examination systems. Several aspirants also questioned the transparency of computer-based recruitment tests, citing irregularities reported in certain online examinations conducted by different agencies in recent years.

Revised MPSC Group C examination schedule

Following the decision, the examination calendar has been revised.

The revised schedule gives candidates additional time to prepare while ensuring that the recruitment process continues through the conventional examination system.

Application deadline extended

Along with revising the examination schedule, the commission has also extended important application deadlines.

The MPSC has discontinued fee payment through challan, making online payment the only available option.The commission has also directed candidates who have already submitted their applications to log in to the MPSC portal and choose their preferred district examination centre between July 19 and July 31. Those who do not select a centre within the stipulated period will be allotted one based on the correspondence address mentioned in their application.

Why aspirants opposed the CBT mode

The proposed shift to computer-based examinations had triggered widespread protests by competitive examination aspirants across Maharashtra.Students argued that introducing CBT without strengthening digital infrastructure would create an uneven playing field, particularly for candidates from rural areas. They also demanded greater transparency in online recruitment examinations, pointing to previous controversies involving technical glitches, outsourced examination agencies, and score normalisation.Many aspirants maintained that any transition to online examinations should be gradual and supported by robust infrastructure, standardised procedures, and a transparent evaluation mechanism.

Government intervenes after protests

Decision to delay the introduction of CBT made after a meeting of high officials chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This meeting included MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, the Chief Secretary, and other top officials of the General Administration Department.The intervention of the government was the result of increasing pressure from students and aspirants who were asking the Commission to stick to the offline examination till appropriate security measures were taken.

Aspirants appreciate the move

Aspirants of competitive examinations are largely appreciating this move of the Commission. While acknowledging the rollback as a major relief, several aspirants have urged the government to make the decision permanent unless the MPSC develops the capability to conduct secure and transparent online examinations independently, without relying extensively on private agencies or complex score normalisation methods.The latest decision is expected to ease concerns among thousands of candidates preparing for the Group C recruitment examinations while giving the commission additional time to strengthen the technological and administrative framework required for a future transition to computer-based testing.