Maharashtra
Maharashtra defers new MPSC exam pattern till 2025, Cong claims victory
Mumbai: In a huge relief to lakhs of aspirants, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has deferred its new examination pattern till 2025, following a request by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after massive protests against the new system rocked the state, officials said here on Tuesday.
In a letter to MPSC, Shinde said that the June 2022 move to switch the final (mains) exam pattern this year (2023) from the existing objective to descriptive, besides effecting many other changes, would be unjust and detrimental to the interests of the candidates.
Accordingly, the MPSC has deferred its decision and will implement the new pattern from the 2025 exams, giving candidates sufficient time to prepare as per the new style.
The Maharashtra Congress, which had carried out agitations and supported the aspirants, claimed credit and said the government has finally “bowed down” to the demands of the candidates.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said that lakhs of candidates from all over the state have been demanding postponement of the new pattern since the past few months, including several huge protests held in Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and other places.
“State Congress President Nana Patole had also raised the matter in the legislature, but the government adopted a stubborn stance and refrained from taking a decision in the interest of the candidates. After the candidates’ show of unity, the government had to bend and is now taking credit for their agitation,” said Londhe.
He pointed out that when the Congress held a daylong protest with thousands of aspirants agitating all over the state on January 13, though CM Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis were in Pune, they did not go to meet the protesters shivering in winter temperatures.
It may be recalled that the MPSC had announced its new pattern for the 2023 Main exams which led to massive protests, as the candidates usually prepare for 3-5 years before writing the competitive exam.
With changes in the exam pattern from objective to descriptive, the preparations had to be changed which couldn’t be done overnight, argued the candidates and organisations like Spardha Pariksha Samanvaya Samiti (SPSS).
Besides the written exams pattern � which will now be similar to the UPSC exams — the number of papers has been increased from 6 to 9 with a major descriptive component, the total marks has gone up from 800 to 1750, with candidates needing to score a minimum of 25 per cent in each paper to qualify for the merit score.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Man Arrested for Illegal Possession of Firearms with 2 Firearms and 19 Live Cartridges Seized.

Mumbai: Following a threatening phone call to blow up the Mumbai CSMT (CST) railway station, the police have taken a young man into custody from Sambhajinagar; he is currently being questioned. According to details, a report was received via telephone at the Mumbai Central Control Room (CRO) around 7:00 AM today, indicating that a threat had been issued against the CSMT railway station. The caller was identified by the name ‘Shaikh’. It was later revealed that the caller’s mobile phone had allegedly been hacked, and a suspicious mobile number—suspected to be linked to this hacking—was identified. The caller, identified as ‘Shaikh Kishan’, a resident of Sambhajinagar, has been taken into custody by the CSMT ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) and is currently undergoing interrogation.
In accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the GRP (Government Railway Police) and RPF (Railway Protection Force) were placed on alert. Currently, a significant number of GRP personnel, along with BDDS (Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad) teams and QRT (Quick Response Team) units, are present at the CSMT station.
The ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) for the CSMT division and the BDDS team inspected the station, conducting a thorough search of all platforms, waiting areas, and the surrounding premises.
No bombs, suspicious objects, or suspicious individuals were found during the search. The Control Rooms (CROs) of all relevant units have been notified. Further investigation is underway, and appropriate action will be taken accordingly. This information was provided by the Railway Police; meanwhile, an alert has also been issued across the stations.
Crime
20-year-old arrested for spying at sensitive sites in Mumbai

In a major operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a youth for allegedly conducting reconnaissance of sensitive sites in Mumbai, including the Chabad House in Colaba, officials said.
The Chabad House, also known as the Nariman House, was one of the primary targets during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
The accused, identified as 20-year-old Yash Singh, had allegedly been conducting reconnaissance of one of Mumbai’s most sensitive locations, the Chabad House/Synagogue in Colaba, along with businesses and establishments associated with Jewish citizens, and was sending photographs and location details to handles that he got in touch with on social media.
According to officials, the young man had allegedly got trapped in the network of international criminal and anti-national elements through social media.
The ATS Navi Mumbai unit received confidential information that the accused, a resident of the Airoli area, was in contact with anti-national elements through social media.
During intensive questioning, it emerged that anti-national actors and mafia-linked social media handles had assigned him the task of collecting and sharing photographs and information about sensitive and prominent locations in Mumbai, including the Chabad House/Synagogue in Colaba, companies owned by Jewish citizens, foreign or Jewish nationals, their vehicles, and surrounding locations.
He allegedly received payments from time to time in exchange for the information.
Further investigation revealed that Yash Singh had direct contact with anti-national operatives through Telegram.
Further, investigators found that he was also linked as an associate in Crime No. 994/2025, registered at the Thrissur East Police Station, Kerala, under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
The ATS team in Navi Mumbai immediately shared the information with Thrissur police.
Subsequently, a team of Kerala Police arrived in Navi Mumbai and questioned Singh. After confirming his direct involvement in the case, Kerala Police arrested him in connection with that investigation.
According to the ATS, several international criminal syndicates, anti-national elements, and Pakistani handlers, including the Shahzad Bhatti network, are using platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp to lure unemployed and financially distressed youth with money and recruit them for anti-national and sabotage-related activities.
In a warning issued by the agency, the ATS said it is actively identifying and taking action against such individuals.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to citizens, especially parents and young people, not to interact with unknown individuals on social media or be tempted by financial offers. They also urged people not to share photographs, reconnaissance details, or information related to sensitive locations with anyone.
Maharashtra
PM Modi to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in Maha today; inaugurate projects worth Rs 3,000 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, through video conferencing on Sunday at 11 a.m. and address the gathering on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 246 development projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore, aimed at strengthening education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and community infrastructure for tribal communities across the country.
Of the total projects, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 173 initiatives, including 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). These centres will function as important hubs for delivering essential services and facilitating various community-level activities.
He will also inaugurate various other projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA).
Other key projects to be inaugurated include the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) building at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Aizawl in Mizoram, aimed at preserving tribal culture and heritage.
The museum commemorates the courage, valour and sacrifices of Mizo tribal freedom fighters, while showcasing the rich cultural traditions, historical legacy and heritage of the Mizo people.
It is named after Ropuiliani, a nineteenth-century Mizo chieftainess who courageously resisted British colonial rule and is remembered as a symbol of tribal resistance and sacrifice.
The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools, further strengthening the commitment to providing quality education to tribal children.
He will also lay the foundation stone of 12 Tribal Multi-purpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) to strengthen market access for tribal producers.
In addition, Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone for 42 other projects under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.
The programme will mark the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, being observed across the country from November 1 to 15.
During the Pakhwada, a range of national and grassroots-level programmes have been organised, including the President’s interaction with EMRS students, the National Tribal Literary Festival, training programmes for tribal healers, health and nutrition camps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and community service drives in tribal villages under the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
