Pune Students Rally for Age Relaxation as MPSC PSI Exam Nears on January 4

As the countdown to the January 4 Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) exam intensifies, hundreds of aspirants in Pune have taken to the streets, demanding urgent age relaxation for recruitment eligibility. Frustrated students gathered near the Ahilyadevi Library in Sadashiv Peth after their attempts to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were denied.

The protest comes in response to a seven-month delay in issuing the PSI recruitment advertisement, which has left many candidates surpassing the official age limit. Aspirants are urging the government to consider January 1, 2025, as the age eligibility cutoff, rather than November 1, 2025, arguing that the administrative delay should not penalize their years of preparation.

The Core Issue

Students’ primary demand is simple: adjust the age eligibility to January 1, 2025, to account for the recruitment delay. With approximately 400,000 candidates preparing for the exam, uncertainty is widespread, and anxiety is mounting.

The Chief Minister had reportedly assured a delegation in Mumbai that a decision on age relaxation would be announced before now, but no official update has been made. This lack of clarity has left students in a state of confusion, with many expressing severe distress over the situation.

With Jan 4 Exam Looming, MPSC Aspirants Protest In Pune Demanding Age Limit Relaxation In PSI Recruitment pic.twitter.com/pC15RM0CN1

— Momentum News (@kshubhamjourno) January 1, 2026

Why Aspirants Are Angry

The delay in releasing the PSI advertisement has created a situation where years of hard work could go unrecognized. Many aspirants in Pune have dedicated 10-12 years of their lives to preparing for this opportunity. The sudden age cutoff change now threatens to derail their dream of joining the police force.

The Demand: Move the age eligibility date from November 1 to January 1, 2025.

The Reason: Students should not lose their chance due to a seven-month administrative delay.

The Numbers: Nearly 400,000 aspirants are directly affected, all anxiously awaiting clarity.

Escalating Frustration

Initially seeking a meeting with the Chief Minister in Pimpri-Chinchwad, students were denied access, prompting a spontaneous march to the Ahilyadevi Library. What was once a quiet academic hub in Sadashiv Peth quickly became a scene of loud protests, reflecting the intensity of student frustration.

The stakes are high: students feel that the years of disciplined study, library sessions, and sacrifices made in pursuit of a PSI post are at risk. Mental health concerns have also surfaced, as some aspirants report feeling immense pressure and despair.

Aspirants Speak Out

The protestors warned that “students are under immense stress, and after investing 10-12 years of relentless preparation, the uncertainty has left many feeling desperate and mentally strained.” They are calling for an immediate Government Resolution (GR) to implement the age relaxation before the exam.