MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced the constitution of a high-level committee to recommend comprehensive reforms in recruitment examinations for government services.<\/p>\n
The committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD) V. Radha, will consult students, educational institutions and other stakeholders across all revenue divisions. Mr. Fadnavis also directed officials to complete within a fortnight the process of implementing the Centre\u2019s stricter law against paper leaks and examination-related malpractices in the State.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes in the wake of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak in Bhiwandi and protests by students over alleged NEET paper leaks, including demonstrations in Maharashtra and at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.<\/p>\n
The TET paper leak came to light on June 27, when Bhiwandi police raided a location and seized copies of an unauthorised question paper. Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) officials subsequently confirmed that the seized material matched the actual TET question paper. The examination, which was scheduled to be held on June 28 at 1,028 centres across the State, was cancelled.<\/p>\n
Mr. Fadnavis held a meeting on Wednesday with senior officials, including Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar and Ms. Radha, at his official residence to discuss reforms in government recruitment examinations. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also attended the meeting.<\/p>\n
Officials said Director General of Police Sadanand Date, Information Technology Department Secretary Virendra Singh, Animal Husbandry Department Secretary N. Ramaswamy and Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam would be members of the committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe committee will visit each revenue division and hold discussions with students, heads of educational institutions and other stakeholders to understand their views. Based on these inputs, a comprehensive policy will be formulated for the State,\u201d officials said.<\/p>\n
Mr. Fadnavis also directed officials to complete within a fortnight the process of implementing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, in Maharashtra. The Central legislation seeks to address paper leaks and other examination-related malpractices.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Maharashtra already has its own Act to deal with paper leaks and examination malpractices, the Chief Minister wants to implement the Centre\u2019s new law as it provides for more stringent punishment,\u201d officials said.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Mr. Fadnavis directed the government to establish at least 25,000 secured classrooms across Maharashtra for conducting various competitive and recruitment examinations. He also discussed strengthening coordination among district collectors, police commissioners, superintendents of police and senior Education Department officials during examinations.<\/p>\n
Officials also briefed the Chief Minister on examination systems followed in various countries, existing examination procedures in Maharashtra, and possible measures to plug loopholes and prevent malpractice.<\/p>\n