Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday declared 2026 as the “recruitment year,” announcing a major state government hiring drive, reported PTI.
Replying to the Governor`s address in the Legislative Council, Shinde said the government is working to generate substantial employment opportunities across both private and public sectors, while making the recruitment process more transparent and efficient.
“Year 2026 will be known as the recruitment year,” Shinde said, adding that 85,363 candidates have already received appointment letters for 1.53 lakh vacant government posts, reported PTI.
He further noted that industrial development is no longer limited to Mumbai and Pune but has been decentralised.
North Maharashtra is attracting investments worth Rs 50,000 crore, while Ahilyanagar district is receiving investments of Rs 11,519 crore.
In the first six months of 2025-26, Maharashtra attracted investments worth Rs 91,337 crore, Shinde added, noting that MoUs worth Rs 30 lakh crore were signed, with 82 per cent of the pacts currently in the implementation stage.
Maharashtra govt is stepping up measures for professors and staff in social work colleges: Minister
The Maharashtra government is taking a positive stance on various pending demands of professors and staff in the state’s social work colleges, said Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil in the Legislative Council on Thursday.
Legislative Council member Abhijit Wanjari had raised a question regarding issues faced by faculty and non-teaching staff after social work colleges were transferred from the Social Welfare Department to the Higher Education Department in 2024.
Previously, these colleges were managed under the Social Welfare Department for many years.
Patil informed the House that multiple meetings have been held on the matter and decisions are being taken step by step to address these concerns.
Key measures
– Professors in social work colleges will now receive benefits under the government’s cash scheme.
– Teaching and non-teaching staff have been covered under the medical reimbursement scheme.
– Implementation of the assured progress scheme has started.
– Issues regarding encashment of earned leave will be resolved soon.
– The current retirement age of 60 for professors may be increased to 62; a proposal has been sent to the Finance Department.
– Social work colleges will follow the same salary and grant rules as arts, science, and commerce colleges.
(With PTI inputs)
