Uncertainty over MPPSC mains fuels anxiety among aspirants

Indore: Thousands of students preparing for the State Service Examination conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission are facing growing confusion as the 2025 mains examination remains on hold.As many as 4,694 candidates qualified for the 2025 mains after appearing for the SSE Prelims 2025. However, since the related matter is still under judicial consideration and the next date of hearing is awaited, there is no confirmed schedule for the examination's second part, which is the mains. Aspirants say the absence of a clear timeline disrupted their preparation plans.The difficulty deepened because the State Service Preliminary Examination 2026 is scheduled for April 16. A large number of candidates selected for the 2025 mains also applied for the 2026 prelims. If the mains are conducted in April, May or June, students may have to prepare for both stages within a short span."We need at least 5 to 6 months of focused study for mains. Right now, we do not know which exam to prioritise," said a candidate from Indore who cleared the 2025 prelims. Another aspirant said, "If we shift fully to prelims and the mains are announced suddenly, we will be underprepared. If we focus on mains, the prelims may suffer." Around 1.33 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the 2026 prelims, but only about 3,200 will qualify for the mains. For the 2025 mains, 4,694 candidates will compete for 158 posts. Meanwhile, officials of the MPPSC OSD R. Panchbhai said that the mains examination will be scheduled promptly once the judgement is received from the court.