Nagpur, 29 Dec (HS): The

Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced significant changes

to the pattern of its recruitment examinations, including the introduction of a

fifth option in multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and negative marking for wrong

or unanswered questions. The new system will be implemented for examinations from

March 2026.

As per the notification,

each MCQ will now include a fifth option, to be selected if a candidate does

not wish to choose any of the four given answers. The commission has also

introduced negative marking not only for wrong answers but also for questions

left unanswered.

The MPSC clarified

that the same negative marking will apply if a candidate selects an incorrect

option, shades more than one circle, or attempts to amend an answer. It will be

mandatory for candidates to select one of the five options for every question.

Failure to do so will result in a deduction of 25 per cent, or one-fourth, of

the marks allotted for that question.

The

commission further stated that the entire answer sheet will be declared invalid

if the candidate fails to sign at the prescribed place on Part-2 of the

original answer sheet, uses a pen of any ink other than a black ballpoint pen,

or makes irrelevant or inappropriate remarks or markings.

Under the

revised format, the answer sheet has been divided into two parts. The first

part will be used to mark answers, while the second part will be for filling in

details such as the name of the examination, subject code, question paper

number, and signatures of the candidate and invigilator.

Additionally,

the candidate’s seat number will now be a seven-digit numeric code instead of

the earlier eight-digit alphanumeric format. The commission said this seat

number will remain the same throughout the examination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar