The state government has given Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) member Satish Waghole the additional charge of chairman while incumbent Vivek Bhimanwar is on leave.
The appointment was made by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma under Article 316(1A) of the Constitution, with effect from October 16, according to a notification issued by the state government’s general administration department.
Waghole, who holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree, began his career practising law at the Pune District and Sessions Court. After clearing the Maharashtra Public Service Commission examination, he joined the state government’s law and judiciary department as an under-secretary. He rose to the rank of joint secretary and served as secretary of the law and judiciary and parliamentary affairs departments from 2021 until April 2026. He was appointed as an MPSC member in September 2026.
The appointment comes after Bhimanwar decided to proceed on leave until the inquiry into allegations against the commission is completed. Akshay Kamble, state vice-president, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), said the government must clarify the constitutional basis, selection criteria and administrative reasons behind the appointment.