MPSC Removes Optional Subjects From State Services Main Exam; Interview Marks Reduced To 175 From 2027
MPSC Removes Optional Subjects From State Services Main Exam; Interview Marks Reduced To 175 From 2027
Pune, July 24, 2026: In a major reform to the Maharashtra State Services Examination, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced that both optional subjects will be removed from the State Services Main Examination from 2027 onwards. The Commission has also reduced the interview (personality test) marks from 275 to 175, bringing the selection process more in line with national standards.
The revised examination pattern is expected to significantly alter the preparation strategy of thousands of civil services aspirants across Maharashtra.
Under the new scheme, the State Services Main Examination will consist of seven compulsory papers. These include:
- Two qualifying language papers in Marathi and English
- One Essay paper
- Four General Studies papers
The Marathi and English language papers will be qualifying in nature, meaning their marks will not be considered in the final merit list. The final written score will be calculated based on the Essay paper and four General Studies papers, carrying a total of 1,250 marks.
With the written examination now carrying 1,250 marks, the MPSC has revised the interview marks to 175, stating that the change is aimed at maintaining a balanced ratio between written examination and interview marks in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on public service recruitment.
The Commission has published the detailed revised examination scheme on its official website.
The decision comes amid long-standing demands from civil services aspirants and education experts, who argued that Maharashtra’s previous interview weightage of 275 marks was disproportionately high compared to other states. In states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, interview marks generally range between 25 and 150, making Maharashtra’s earlier allocation one of the highest in the country.
Many candidates had maintained that the high interview weightage often overshadowed performance in the written examination. While the reduction to 175 marks has been welcomed as a step towards a more balanced evaluation system, some aspirants continue to advocate for a further reduction to 100 marks, arguing that it would ensure greater weight is given to merit in the written examination.
