In a major relief to thousands of youths preparing for police recruitment, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the filling of more than 15,000 vacant posts in the state police force. Notably, candidates who had crossed the prescribed age limit in 2022 and 2023 will be given a one-time relaxation to apply and participate in the recruitment process.
One-Time Age Relaxation for Candidates
During the monsoon session of the legislature, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the filling of 13,560 police vacancies. Earlier in June, the Director General of Police had indicated that around 10,000 posts would be filled, with field tests scheduled for September 15. However, the recruitment process was not initiated, prompting discontent from student coordination committees, which argued that completing the process before September was unrealistic.
Vacancies Covering 2024 and 2025
According to the Cabinet decision, the recruitment will cover vacancies from 2024 as well as posts expected to fall vacant in 2025. The breakdown of posts is as follows:
Police Constable – 10,908
Police Constable (Driver) – 234
Bandsman – 25
Armed Police Constable – 2,393
Prison Constable – 554
The Police Constable and Prison Constable posts fall under Group C and will be recruited at the district level through an OMR-based written examination.
ADG Authorised to Oversee Recruitment
The Cabinet has also authorised the Additional Director General of Police (Training and Special Units) to handle the process of inviting applications, screening them, conducting physical tests, and organising the written examination for eligible candidates.
Vacancies Impact Law and Order
Maintaining law and order in the state requires adequate staffing at the constable level. Vacant posts increase the workload on the existing force, and both the High Court and Supreme Court have repeatedly directed that these vacancies be filled promptly. Legislators have also raised the demand for urgent recruitment during assembly discussions.
