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The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has postponed the introduction of computer-based testing (CBT) for its Group C recruitment examinations until July 2027. The decision comes after widespread protests by competitive exam aspirants across Maharashtra, who raised concerns about the immediate implementation of online examinations.

As a result, the MPSC Group C Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2026 will now be conducted in the conventional offline OMR-based format, offering relief to thousands of candidates preparing for the recruitment process.

MPSC Delays CBT Rollout for Group C Recruitment

In a corrigendum issued on July 16, the commission announced that the CBT mode would not be introduced for Group C examinations before July 2027.

The decision follows continuous demands from aspirants who argued that the current digital infrastructure is not yet equipped to support a fair and transparent online examination system. Many candidates, especially those from rural and remote areas, highlighted challenges such as limited access to computers, unreliable internet connectivity, and lack of experience with computer-based exams.

Some aspirants also expressed concerns about transparency in online recruitment tests, referring to technical issues and controversies reported in previous computer-based examinations conducted by various agencies.

Revised MPSC Group C Examination Schedule 2026

Following the policy change, MPSC has revised the examination calendar for the Group C recruitment process.

The preliminary examination was earlier scheduled for September 27, 2026. The revised dates provide candidates with additional preparation time while allowing the recruitment process to continue through the existing offline examination system.

MPSC Extends Application Deadline

The commission has also extended the registration timeline for the recruitment process.

• Last date to submit online applications: July 31, 2026

• Last date for online fee payment: August 3, 2026

MPSC has clarified that fee payment through challan has been discontinued, and candidates must complete the payment using the online mode only.

Applicants who have already registered are required to log in to the MPSC portal and select their preferred district examination centre between July 19 and July 31, 2026. If no preference is submitted within the specified period, the commission will allot an examination centre based on the correspondence address provided in the application.

Why Aspirants Opposed the CBT Format

The proposal to introduce computer-based examinations led to large-scale protests across the state.

Candidates argued that implementing CBT without adequate digital infrastructure could disadvantage students from rural regions. They also demanded stronger safeguards to ensure transparency, citing previous instances of technical glitches, dependence on private examination agencies, and concerns regarding score normalisation.

Many aspirants maintained that any transition to online examinations should be gradual and supported by improved infrastructure, clear procedures, and a reliable evaluation system.

Government Steps In After Student Protests

The decision to postpone the CBT rollout was taken after a high-level meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The meeting included MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, the Chief Secretary, and senior officials from the General Administration Department.

The government intervened following sustained demands from students and competitive examination aspirants, who urged the commission to continue conducting offline examinations until a secure and transparent computer-based system is fully established.

Aspirants Welcome the Decision

The commission's announcement has been widely welcomed by candidates preparing for the Group C recruitment examinations.

While many have described the decision as a major relief, several aspirants have also urged the state government to continue the offline examination system unless MPSC develops its own secure and transparent digital examination framework with minimal dependence on private agencies and a more robust assessment process.

The postponement is expected to reduce uncertainty for thousands of candidates while giving the commission additional time to strengthen the technological infrastructure and administrative mechanisms required for a future transition to computer-based recruitment examinations.

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