Maharashtra government has appointed former Director General of Police (DGP) Rajnish Seth as the Chairman of the state’s Public Service Commission, ANI reported on Thursday.

Reports said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved the appointment of DGP Rajnish Seth as the new chairperson of the MPSC. This could pave the way for IPS officer Rashmi Shukla to become the next DGP, reports said. Other contenders for the post include Sandeep Bishnoi, Vivek Phansalkar, and Pradnya Sarvade.

Dilip Pandharpatte currently holds the role of acting chairman according to the MPSC`s website. With Seth`s transfer to MPSC, speculation has arisen within the corridors of power regarding who will succeed him as the state`s DGP.

Rajnish Seth assumed the position of Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) before being appointed as the DGP of Maharashtra in February 2022. He is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1988 cadre. His appointment marked the replacement of Sanjay Pandey, who had held the additional charge of the post since April 9, 2021.

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The Maharashtra Public Service Commission is a vital institution responsible for recruiting civil servants and overseeing various aspects of public administration in the state. The role of the chairman is crucial in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of these processes.

Seth had also applied for a post of member in the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, but the government chose him as MPSC chief, a first for an IPS officer in the state, sources said. On September 19, MPSC chairperson Kishorraje Nimbalkar retired.

The MPSC conducts various recruitment examinations for Group A, B and C vacancies in the Maharashtra state administration.

A notification about the appointment to the top post of the MPSC was issued on Wednesday after its proposal was cleared by the Maharashtra Governor, the official said.

The Chief Minister`s Office (CMO) had cleared this proposal earlier this week, he added.

The notification states that the appointment of MPSC chairman shall be for the period of six years from the date of assuming charge of the post or till the chairman attains the age of 62 years, whichever happens earlier. So as per the notification, Seth will get a little over two years to serve as the chairman of the MPSC.

Seth was serving as the director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) before he was appointed as the DGP of Maharashtra in February 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

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