India, Jan. 31 -- The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced its largest-ever recruitment drive, but certain changes in the eligibility criteria could dash the hopes of unemployed youth looking for government jobs.

MPSC's decision this year to announce a merit or cut-off list for individual government departments in the preliminary exam could queer the pitch for most candidates. Although the prelim is only a screening exam, and the final selection list is based on main examination marks, MPSC's new rule could unfairly knock out thousands of candidates during the screening process itself, say aspirants.

Hitherto, MPSC prelims were held state-wise or for all posts together rather than department-wise. Thus, if the stat...