Dreams Deferred: The Flawed System of MPPSC and Its Impact on Youth

Introduction

The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC), once a beacon of hope for government job aspirants, has become a source of despair due to its inefficient practices, delayed processes, and controversial policies. For thousands of young candidates, years of preparation and sacrifices have been rendered futile by a system riddled with delays, declining vacancies, and flawed reservation policies like the 87:13:13 formula.

Shrinking Vacancies: A Growing Concern

Over the years, MPPSC has drastically reduced the number of vacancies, despite the state having more than two lakh unfilled government positions.

- In 2025, MPPSC announced only 158 vacancies, one of the lowest counts in a decade.

- Similarly, the 2023 State Service Examination (SSE) offered only 229 posts, a sharp decline compared to previous years.

This reduction has intensified competition, leaving aspirants, especially those from the general category, with a dwindling chance of success despite years of preparation.

The 87:13:13 Formula: A Policy of Controversy

The 87:13:13 reservation formula has further compounded the problems for aspirants:

The legal dispute over whether the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category will receive 14% or 27% reservation in recruitments conducted through MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission) is ongoing in court. To address delays caused by the legal proceedings, on September 29, 2022, the state government introduced the 87:13 formula.

Under this formula, 87% of the posts will be filled as follows:16% for SC (Scheduled Caste),20% for ST (Scheduled Tribe),14% for OBC (at 14% reservation level),and the remaining 37% for the unreserved category.

The remaining 13% of the posts will remain unallocated or “on hold.” These posts will only be filled based on the court’s final verdict regarding the OBC reservation increase to 27%.

If the court approves 27% reservation for OBC, these 13% posts will go to OBC candidates. If not, they will be allotted to candidates from the unreserved category..

Due to this OBC &UR Waiting List Controversy: from 2019 to till now , 13% of seats were frozen due to ongoing court cases over the OBC quota, leaving aspirants in limbo for years.

Systemic Delays: A Career-Ending Problem

One of the most damaging issues with MPPSC is its lengthy and unpredictable recruitment process. For instance:

- The SSE 2018, which aimed to fill 571 posts, took over four years to complete the selection process.

- The 2022 SSE, notified in January 2023, is expected to have its final results by mid-2025, after nearly two years.

These delays not only disrupt aspirants’ career timelines but also push many beyond the age limit for subsequent exams. Some exams, like the Sub-Inspector and Mahila Supervisor exams, have not been held since 2017, affecting more than two lakh candidates.

Financial and Emotional Strain

The financial burden on candidates has also escalated due to MPPSC’s inefficiencies. Despite a promise of a one-time examination fee by the state government, candidates still pay separate fees for each exam, adding to their economic hardships.

On top of financial strain, the uncertainty and constant delays have led to severe emotional stress. Many aspirants face depression, anxiety, and a loss of self-esteem after years of unfruitful efforts.

Personal Stories: Dreams Shattered

The systemic failures of MPPSC have ruined countless lives:

- Rohit Sharma, a bright aspirant from Indore, prepared for five years and cleared SSE 2020 with an impressive score. However, due to the OBC waiting list allocation to UR posts, he lost his chance at a government job and had to abandon his civil service dreams.

- Sonal Yadav, an OBC candidate who qualified for a UR post in SSE 2019, has been caught in court disputes over reservation policies. Despite her success, she has had to take up private-sector work to support her family, leaving her aspirations unfulfilled.

Aspirant Protests: A Cry for Justice

In light of these injustices, aspirants have repeatedly protested against MPPSC’s inefficiencies. In 2023, hundreds of candidates protested outside the MPPSC office in Indore, demanding:

- A review of the 87:13:13 formula.

- Fair allocation of waiting list posts.

- Timely release of exam results.

Despite these protests, the commission’s practices remain largely unchanged.

Conclusion: A System in Need of Reform

The MPPSC’s wrong practices—declining vacancies, delayed processes, and a flawed reservation system—have shattered the dreams of thousands of aspirants. Years of dedication, sacrifices, and hope have been undone by a system that lacks transparency, efficiency, and fairness.

To restore trust, urgent reforms are needed, including:

- Increasing the number of vacancies.

- Revising the 87:13:13 formula to ensure merit-based selections.

- Streamlining the recruitment process to deliver timely results.

Without these changes, the MPPSC will continue to erode the aspirations of Madhya Pradesh’s youth, turning dreams into despair and potential into lost opportunities.