Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) removes optional subject from State Services Main Exam from 2027

Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced a major change to the State Services Main Examination pattern. From the 2027 examination onwards, candidates will no longer have to choose an optional subject, as the commission has decided to remove it from the exam scheme.In a press release issued on June 25, the commission said that candidates currently appearing for the Maharashtra Civil Services (Gazetted Group A and Group B) Main Examination are required to write two papers in an optional subject. However, this requirement will end from the 2027 examination.Explaining the decision, MPSC said that public service commissions in states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have already removed optional subjects from their State Services Main Examination. “They have instead adopted a more uniform and standardised evaluation system,” the commission said.Following a review of all aspects, the commission said it has decided to introduce a similar pattern in Maharashtra. Under the revised scheme, candidates will have to appear for seven compulsory papers. These include Marathi and English language papers, one essay paper in Marathi or English, and four General Studies papers.The language papers will remain qualifying in nature, with candidates required to secure at least 25 per cent marks. The written examination will carry 1,250 marks, while the interview will continue to carry 275 marks, taking the total to 1,525 marks.The commission also said that the detailed revised examination scheme will be published separately on its official website.MPSC clarified that this change applies only to the State Services Main Examination. The optional subject will continue for the Maharashtra Forest Service Main Examination. It also said there will be no changes to the existing examination patterns for the Maharashtra Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering Services, Maharashtra Agriculture Services, Food and Drug Administrative Services, Maharashtra Veterinary Services, and Inspector of Legal Metrology Main Examinations.