MPPSC Aspirants Launch 4-Day Sit-In in Indore Over Recruitment Reforms

MPPSC Aspirants Launch 4-Day Sit-In in Indore Over Recruitment Reforms

In a significant development, aspirants of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) have initiated a four-day sit-in protest outside the commission office in Indore. The demonstration, which commenced late Saturday night following court approval, marks a fresh phase of agitation aimed at addressing long-pending recruitment reforms that candidates argue have been consistently overlooked.

Protest Details and Demands

Led by the National Educated Youth Union (NEYU) under the banner "Nyay Yatra 2.0", the protest is centered on a comprehensive 10-point charter of demands. Despite severe cold conditions, a large number of aspirants, including many female candidates, gathered at the site. They laid out bedding, lit bonfires, and spent the night outside the premises, highlighting the depth of frustration among students who have invested years in preparation while opportunities continue to diminish.

This agitation follows a similar movement in December 2024, when hundreds of aspirants held a week-long sit-in after receiving assurances from the district administration that key demands would be addressed. Protesters claim that most of those commitments were never implemented, leading to the renewed unrest and the current demonstration.

Key Demands of the Aspirants

The protesters have outlined several critical demands aimed at reforming the MPPSC recruitment process. Among the most prominent are:

• Reduction in Interview Marks: Aspirants are seeking a decrease in interview marks for the State Service Examination from 185 to 100, arguing that excessive weightage on interviews undermines transparency and fairness in the selection process.
• Abolition of the 87:13 Formula: Candidates demand the elimination of this formula and the publication of a 100% selection list against advertised posts to ensure greater clarity and equity.
• Increase in Vacancies: There is a strong call for a sharp rise in vacancies, with aspirants wanting State Service posts increased from around 155 to 700 and State Engineering Service posts raised from 29 to 400. Additionally, they demand the release of details regarding the 13% of posts that have been on hold since 2019.
• Examination Process Reforms: The demands include implementing a system to re-show mains examination answer sheets and providing the option for candidates to choose their examination centers. They also urge that appointments be completed within one year of advertisement, aligning with the timeline followed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• Financial and Service-Related Demands: Aspirants are advocating for the introduction of a one-time examination fee of Rs 100 for all MPPSC examinations. Furthermore, they seek the notification of at least 100 posts in the State Forest Service in 2026, with a focus on the Unreserved (UR), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories.

Legal and Organizational Support

NEYU convener Radhe Jat stated that the Indore bench of the High Court granted permission for the protest under Article 19 in WP-3025-2026. He emphasized that the agitation would remain peaceful and would draw participation from students, coaching institutes, and libraries. "This is a constitutional protest. We will continue in a disciplined manner until the demands are addressed," he affirmed, underscoring the legal and organized nature of the demonstration.

Voices from the Ground

Student Abhishek shared that aspirants have been preparing for years while vacancies have steadily declined, exacerbating their challenges. Another aspirant noted that repeated memorandums and meetings with authorities have failed to yield tangible results, leaving candidates with no option but to sustain the protest until concrete action is taken. This sentiment reflects the growing desperation and determination among the aspirant community to see meaningful reforms in the recruitment system.

The sit-in protest in Indore not only highlights the ongoing struggles of MPPSC aspirants but also underscores the broader issues within public service recruitment processes in Madhya Pradesh. As the demonstration continues, all eyes are on the authorities to respond to these pressing demands and bring about the necessary changes to restore faith in the system.