The state civil services examinations are conducted by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) to recruit officers in the Maharashtra state services. The notification regarding this examination appears on the MPSC website (www.mpsc.gov.in). The examination is conducted in the following three stages :
- Preliminary Examination
- Main/Written Examination
- Interview/Personality Test
Overview :-
Preliminary Exam :-
There are major changes in the Preliminary exam since 2013. Now there are 2 papers for the Preliminary exam- 1) General Studies (GS) and 2) Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT ) carrying 200 marks for each paper. GS paper contains 120 questions and CSAT paper contains 80 questions of multiple choice type. The time allotted is two hours for each paper. For both, papers 1/3 negative marking system is applicable, which means a deduction of 33% marks for each wrong answer. All other rules regarding this are the same as UPSC. Questions are set in English and Marathi medium but for some passages in CSAT paper and questions based on them which are supposed to test candidates’ knowledge of the English language, the Marathi translation is not available. The Preliminary Examination is held at most of the district places in Maharashtra. After the result of the Preliminary Examination is declared, the successful candidates are called to appear for the Main Examination. Marks scored in the Preliminary Examination are not counted for the final selection of the candidates.
Main Examination :-
Generally, the Main Examination is supposed to be held three and a half or four months after the result of the Prelims exam is declared. This examination is held at four centers viz. Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, and Nagpur. The candidates who qualify in the Preliminarily Examination and hold University degrees of graduation level are eligible to appear for Main Examination. From 2012 MPSC state services Mains there have been sea changes. The optional subjects have been removed from the exam and 4 papers for General Studies have been introduced.MPSC has provided a detailed syllabus for these papers. There is a total of 6 papers in this exam, among them, 4 are GS papers. But unlike UPSC the nature of GS papers is multiple choice type. But language papers for English and Marathi are still subjective (essay type). There is a 1/3 negative marking system for all the GS papers. The scope of General Studies has been expanded. In every single paper, the qualifying marks for open category candidates are 45 whereas for reserved category candidates it is 40.
Interview :-
The candidates coming out successfully in the written examination (Mains) are called for the interview. According to the changes made in the 2012 state civil service examination, the marks for the interview have been reduced. Now the interview carries 100 marks. In the interview, eligibility required for the candidate’s post opted for, his / her personality, his / her study level of social and national issues, awareness regarding events occurring around him/her, capacity to take decisions, presence of mind are the factors supposed to be considered. The final merit list is declared after considering the candidate’s marks in the Main Exam and the Interview. Accordingly, eligible candidates are appointed to various posts. Eventually, they get appointment letters to join the government.
