Bhopal: In a major relief for civil services aspirants, the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) has revised the schedule of the State Service Main Examination-2025 after candidates raised concerns over a clash with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination 2026.
The Commission has now decided to conduct the State Service Main Examination from August 8 to August 13, 2026, instead of the earlier schedule of August 17 to August 22, 2026.
The decision comes after several candidates pointed out that two MPPSC examination papers were scheduled on August 21 and 22, coinciding with the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination, which begins on August 21.
Schedule Revised Following Aspirants’ Objections
The MPPSC had initially released the examination timetable on Friday, fixing the State Service Main Examination between August 17 and August 22. However, the schedule immediately drew objections from candidates preparing simultaneously for both MPPSC and UPSC examinations.
Candidates argued that the overlap would force them to choose between the two prestigious examinations, potentially affecting their career prospects.
Taking note of the concerns, the Commission convened a meeting on Saturday and decided to revise the examination schedule.
Rather than postponing the examination further, MPPSC chose to advance the dates to ensure that candidates appearing for both examinations would not face any inconvenience.
Read also: UPSC CSE Mains 2026: DAF Window Opens for 13,343 Qualified Candidates; Apply by June 28
New Examination Dates Announced
Under the revised schedule, the State Service Main Examination-2025 will now be conducted from:
August 8, 2026 to August 13, 2026
The move is expected to benefit thousands of aspirants who have qualified for the mains stage and are also preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination.
High Court Order Played Key Role
According to MPPSC Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Ravindra Panchbhai, the Commission had approached the High Court seeking interim relief regarding the conduct of the examination.
The Court subsequently permitted the Commission to proceed with the examination while directing that the results be kept in a sealed envelope until further orders.
Only after receiving judicial clearance did the Commission release the examination schedule. However, following objections regarding the UPSC date clash, the revised timetable was issued.
Application Process Begins June 25
The Commission has announced that the online application process for the Main Examination will commence on June 25, 2026 and continue until July 15, 2026.
Candidates who qualified in the Preliminary Examination must compulsorily submit their applications for the Main Examination through:
- MP Online Portal
- Official MPPSC Website
The Commission has clarified that only candidates completing the application process within the prescribed timeline will be eligible to appear in the examination.
Multiple Opportunities for Late Applications
To accommodate candidates who may miss the initial application deadline, MPPSC has introduced two additional windows with late fees.
Late Fee Window – First Opportunity
- Dates: July 16 to July 22, 2026
- Late Fee: ₹3,000
Final Opportunity
- Dates: July 23 to July 27, 2026
- Special Late Fee: ₹25,000
The Commission has advised candidates to complete the application process within the regular window to avoid additional charges.
Correction Window for Application Forms
Candidates will also be allowed to make corrections to their submitted application forms.
Correction Period
- June 30 to July 17, 2026
Correction Fee
- ₹50 per correction
The correction facility will help candidates rectify any errors in personal details or examination-related information before the final submission process is completed.
Admit Cards Available from August 3
MPPSC has announced that admit cards for the State Service Main Examination will be released online on August 3, 2026.
Candidates must download their admit cards from the Commission’s official website.
The Commission clarified that admit cards will not be sent by post under any circumstances.
Application Fee Structure
The Commission has also prescribed category-wise application fees for the Main Examination.
Reserved Categories (Madhya Pradesh Domicile)
Fee: ₹400
Applicable to:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
General Category and Candidates from Outside Madhya Pradesh
Fee: ₹800
Recruitment for 158 Posts
The State Service Examination-2025 recruitment drive aims to fill 158 posts across various state government departments.
According to MPPSC OSD Ravindra Panchbhai, approximately 4,000 candidates are expected to appear for the Main Examination.
The examination remains one of the most competitive recruitment processes in Madhya Pradesh and serves as the gateway to several prestigious administrative positions in the state government.
Examination Delayed Due to Legal Proceedings
The State Service Main Examination has witnessed multiple delays over the past year.
Originally, the examination was scheduled to commence on June 9, 2025. However, on April 2, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh High Court stayed the examination following a petition challenging aspects of the recruitment process.
After nearly a year of uncertainty, the High Court lifted the stay on June 18, 2026, allowing the Commission to proceed with the examination.
Subsequently, MPPSC announced the examination schedule but was compelled to revise it within a day after discovering a clash with the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination dates.
Relief for Thousands of Aspirants
The Commission’s decision to reschedule the examination has been welcomed by candidates across the state.
By advancing the examination dates, MPPSC has ensured that aspirants preparing simultaneously for both state and national civil services examinations will be able to participate in both without facing scheduling conflicts.
The revised timetable is expected to provide greater flexibility and reduce stress for thousands of candidates pursuing careers in public administration through both MPPSC and UPSC examinations.
