Maha govt forms panel to overhaul recruitment exam process
Mumbai, Aug 12
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday decided to constitute a high‑level committee to implement comprehensive, secure and consensus‑driven reforms in the recruitment examination process for various state services in Maharashtra.
The committee has been instructed to visit every revenue division in the state, hold direct interactions with students and submit a consolidated report detailing systemic overhaul measures. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was also present at the meeting, offered several key suggestions.
The Chief Minister's decision comes amid recent protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak and the ongoing student protest in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). CM Fadnavis issued these instructions during a specially convened meeting held at his official residence, Varsha.
V. Radha will chair the high‑level panel, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department. The committee members include Director General of Police Sadanand Date, Information Technology Department Secretary Virendra Singh, Animal Husbandry Department Secretary N. Ramaswamy and Nashik Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam.
The panel will travel to each revenue division to consult with students, educational institute administrators and relevant stakeholders to gather their inputs, which will form the foundation of a comprehensive state policy.
Referring to the stringent law recently passed by Parliament to curb paper leaks and exam malpractices, CM Fadnavis noted that while Maharashtra already has its own legislation, the central law is more rigorous. Consequently, he directed officials to complete the process of adopting and implementing the central legislation in Maharashtra within the next fortnight.
The Chief Minister also mandated the setup of at least 25,000 secure classrooms across the state. The meeting included extensive discussions on various related topics, such as defining clear coordination roles for District Collectors, Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and senior education officials; reviewing global exam models; evaluating current operational procedures; and identifying areas for potential reform.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative by CM Fadnavis. The NEET paper leak and JPSC issues clearly show the existing system is flawed. But let's be honest - will this actually change anything? Students from rural areas often struggle with technology and secure exam centers. I hope the committee considers their needs too, not just urban students in Mumbai and Pune.
Interesting to see this level of proactive governance. Having V. Radha chair the panel is a good choice - she's known for transparency. The two-week timeline to adopt central legislation seems tight but doable. Question is whether other states will follow Maharashtra's lead. This could set a national benchmark.
One concern though - why have DGP Sadanand Date on an exam reform committee? Seems like a police perspective is being prioritized over educational expertise. Also, the committee lacks representation from student bodies or academicians. Hope they actually listen during those divisional visits rather than just conducting them for show.
Ye sahi hai! At least someone is acknowledging the stress students go through. My cousin is preparing for MPSC and the uncertainty around paper leaks is heartbreaking. The central law being implemented within 14 days is the real game-changer though. Stronger penalties will act as deterrent. 👍
The idea of reviewing global exam models is particularly noteworthy. Many countries use biometric verification and blockchain-based result systems. If Maharashtra genuinely adopts international standards, this could solve decades-old problems. Also, coordinating between District Collectors, Police Commissioners, and education officials is long overdue.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.