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Pune civic body to crack down on illegal study hubs for competitive exams

A large number of students from across the state throng the Pune city to prepare for competitive examinations of state and union government conducted mainly by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).

Pune is preferred over other cities due to the available training centre, facilities like libraries and study material. (AI Generated Image)

Concerned over the inconvenience caused to citizens of Pune due to the large number of students residing in the city for competitive examinations, the Pune civic body has decided to crack down on illegal private study rooms, hostels and eateries that witness huge presence of students.

A large number of students from across the state throng the Pune city to prepare for competitive examinations of state and union government conducted mainly by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). Pune is preferred over other cities due to the available training centre, facilities like libraries and study material.

The students stay in private hostels or as paying guests and study in private study rooms while managing their food from eateries, hotels and lunch homes. “There is no exact number of students staying in Pune to prepare for competitive examinations but they must be around a lakh. Most of them live in the heart of the city,” said a PMC officer.

This has led to many illegal study room, hostels and eateries coming up in the city, he said adding, “The citizens of Pune face a lot of inconvenience due to these students as they throng the streets during night, create nuisance and has led to illegal eateries coming up alongside streets.”

In the recent past, the city police had warned action against the students after local citizens had complained about the inconvenience caused to them due to bursting of crackers, use of gulal and processions by students clearing competitive exams. They had also come under criticism for contributing to the noise and chaos during the Ganesh festival procession every year. Last week, a student preparing for a competitive exam was found dead in a paying guest facility in Navi Peth.

“It has been decided to take action in seven days against study libraries operating illegally in the parking of residential buildings,” said additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj B P.

The PMC will soon prepare rules and regulations for study libraries and paying guests facilities that exist in the city, he said the civic administration will undertake a survey to identify illegal study libraries and paying guests in the city to take action against them.

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There will be action taken on illegal hawkers and carts around the study libraries, said additional municipal commissioner.

The PMC will also hold meetings with city Police to check the nuisance caused due to the student population residing for preparing competitive examinations in the city, he added.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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