The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has unveiled a series of significant modifications to its recruitment examination pattern, set to reshape the strategy for lakhs of aspirants. The key changes include the introduction of a fifth option in Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and the implementation of negative marking for questions left unanswered. These reforms will be effective for all examinations conducted from March 2026 onwards.
Core Changes in Answering Pattern and Marking Scheme
In a notification issued on December 24, 2025, the MPSC mandated a structural shift in how candidates approach the objective-type paper. The traditional four-option MCQ will now feature a fifth circle on the answer sheet. This new option is specifically for candidates who do not wish to select any of the four given answers.
More critically, the commission has introduced a uniform negative marking policy for several scenarios. A deduction of 25% or one-fourth of the marks allocated to a question will be applied if:
- The candidate leaves the question unanswered.
- The candidate selects the wrong answer.
- The candidate shades more than one circle for a single question.
- The candidate attempts to amend or change a marked answer.
The MPSC's notification explicitly states that it is now mandatory for examinees to select one of the five options for every question to avoid the penalty.
Stricter Compliance and Revised Answer Sheet Format
The commission has also tightened procedural rules, warning that the entire answer sheet will be declared invalid for serious violations. These include:
- Failure to sign at the prescribed place on Part-2 of the answer sheet.
- Using any pen other than a black ink ballpoint pen.
- Making irrelevant or inappropriate marks or remarks on the answer booklet.
Furthermore, the physical answer sheet has been restructured into two distinct parts. Part-1 is dedicated solely for marking answers, while Part-2 is for filling in details like the examination name, seat number, subject code, and signatures of both the candidate and the invigilator.
New Seat Number System and Clarification on Posts
In another administrative update, the MPSC has changed the candidate identification system. The existing eight-digit alphanumeric seat number will be replaced by a seven-digit numeric code. This new numeric identifier will remain constant for the candidate throughout the entire admission process for a given recruitment cycle.
Separately, a senior official from the commission clarified the MPSC's role in the recruitment ecosystem, stating, "The posts are not decided by MPSC. Government tells MPSC about the available posts and accordingly advertisements are issued." This underscores that the commission's function is to conduct the selection process for vacancies identified and sanctioned by the state government.
These comprehensive changes are aimed at bringing greater precision, reducing guesswork, and streamlining the evaluation process for Maharashtra's premier civil services examinations. Aspirants preparing for exams scheduled after March 2026 must adapt their preparation and test-taking strategies accordingly.
