Start Here: MPSC Group B and Group C Exam Patterns

1. MPSC Group B and Group C: The Exam Pattern

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) recruits for many state government posts. Two of its most popular exams are the Maharashtra Group B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Examination and the Maharashtra Group C Services Combined Examination. Both have a preliminary exam and a main exam. Patterns can change, so always read the advertisement for your year on mpsc.gov.in.

Which posts are filled

• Group B (Non-Gazetted) posts include Assistant Section Officer (ASO), State Tax Inspector (STI) and Police Sub-Inspector (PSI). The posts in each year's advertisement can differ.
• Group C posts include Clerk-Typist, Tax Assistant, Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI), Industry Inspector and Technical Assistant.
• Group C 2026: Advertisement No. 017/2026 was released in June 2026 for 2,619 posts. A corrigendum of September 2026 reportedly raised the total to 5,707 posts, most of them (about 4,700) Clerk-Typist posts.
• The same corrigendum moved the Group C 2026 preliminary exam from 25 October 2026 to 3 January 2027 (as reported).
• A bachelor's degree is the basic qualification for most posts. Knowledge of Marathi is compulsory. Some posts, such as AMVI, need an engineering diploma or degree.

Preliminary exam (screening)

• One objective paper: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour.
• Subjects: current affairs, history (especially modern India and Maharashtra), geography (with Maharashtra focus), Indian polity and Panchayat Raj, economics, general science, arithmetic and reasoning.
• The paper is set in Marathi and English.
• Negative marking: one-quarter (1/4) of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer. There is no deduction for a question left blank.
• Prelims marks are used only to shortlist candidates for the main exam. They are not added to the final merit.

Main exam: Marathi and English matter

• Group B (Non-Gazetted) Mains: two objective papers (reported as 200 marks each). Paper 1 tests Marathi and English; Paper 2 tests general studies and post-related knowledge.
• Group C Mains (recent scheme): Paper 1 is common to all posts and tests Marathi (around Class 12 level) and English (around graduate level). Paper 2 covers general studies and post-related knowledge. Check the advertisement for the exact marks split.
• Main papers are objective and usually of 1 hour each. Negative marking (1/4) also applies in the main exam.
• PSI candidates also have a physical test and an interview after the main exam.
• Because Paper 1 is language-based, good Marathi and English can decide your rank. Module 5 of this course covers Marathi basics.

Talathi, Gram Panchayat Adhikari and police recruitment

• Talathi is the village revenue officer under the Revenue and Forest Department. In 2023 about 4,644 Talathi posts were filled through an online exam conducted for the department by TCS.
• A state government resolution renamed the Talathi post as Gram Mahsul Adhikari (village revenue officer), as reported. In 2026 the recruitment for these posts was reported to be conducted by MPSC. Many notices still use the old name.
• Gram Sevak posts in Zilla Parishads are filled by Zilla Parishad recruitment, not MPSC. Reports say the state plans to merge Gram Sevak and Gram Vikas Adhikari into one post called Gram Panchayat Adhikari; check the current notice for the name used.
• Police Constable recruitment is done district-wise by the police. It has a physical test (50 marks) and a written test (100 marks) in Marathi.
• In all these exams, Maharashtra GK, Marathi grammar, general English, arithmetic and reasoning form the core. This course covers the Maharashtra part.

💡 Download the advertisement PDF from mpsc.gov.in and check the exact posts, syllabus and exam date. Coaching sites often copy old patterns.

📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.

2. Preparation Plan and How This Course Maps to the Syllabus

The MPSC prelims gives you only 1 hour for 100 questions, so speed and accuracy both matter. This lesson shows where each syllabus topic is covered and gives a simple plan to prepare.

How the syllabus maps to this course

• Maharashtra history and social reformers: Module 2.
• Maharashtra geography and economy (districts, rivers, dams, crops, industries, projects): Module 3.
• Maharashtra government, local bodies, schemes and 2025-26 current affairs: Module 4.
• Marathi grammar and literature for the main exam: Module 5.
• Indian history, polity, economy, science, arithmetic, reasoning and English: use our free General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning and General English courses.

Time and negative marking

• 100 questions in 60 minutes means only about 36 seconds per question. Read fast and do not get stuck.
• Four wrong answers cost one full mark (4 x 1/4 = 1).
• Do not guess blindly. If you can remove two wrong options, choosing between the last two is usually worth it.
• Finish easy questions first. Mark doubtful ones and return to them only if time remains.
• Keep the last 3 to 4 minutes to check your answer sheet entries.

A 10 to 12 week plan

• Weeks 1 and 2: read the advertisement and syllabus; solve one old paper to know your level; finish Modules 1 and 2.
• Weeks 3 to 5: Maharashtra geography, economy, administration and schemes (Modules 3 and 4) along with the national GS courses.
• Weeks 6 and 7: arithmetic and reasoning practice every day; current affairs of the last 12 to 18 months.
• Weeks 8 to 10: Marathi and English grammar practice for the mains (Module 5), with daily short tests.
• Weeks 11 and 12: full timed mock tests and revision of weak areas.

💡 Old MPSC papers are on mpsc.gov.in. Solve at least five previous prelims papers in 1 hour each; you will notice that Maharashtra history and reformers are asked every year.

📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.