Introduction to MPSC Combined Group B: Police Sub Inspector (PSI)
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducts the Subordinate Services Non-Gazetted Group B examination annually, which is one of the most competitive and highly anticipated recruitment drives in the state of Maharashtra. Among the various posts offered through this combined examination—such as Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and State Tax Inspector (STI)—the post of Police Sub Inspector (PSI) holds a distinct and highly prestigious position. The PSI is the backbone of the state’s law enforcement machinery, serving as the primary investigating officer who directly interacts with the citizenry and maintains local public order.
Historically, the evolution of the police administration in Maharashtra can be traced back to the British colonial era, notably structured under the Police Act of 1861 and later codified for the state through the Bombay Police Act, 1951 (now renamed the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951). The administrative setup was designed to transition from a colonial force focused on suppressing dissent to a democratic welfare-state organization dedicated to crime prevention, criminal investigation, and the protection of fundamental human rights. In this modern setup, the Police Sub Inspector functions at the grassroots level of the police hierarchy. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), now transitionally aligned with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a Sub Inspector is the lowest-ranking officer empowered by law to file a charge sheet in court and personally conduct investigations of cognizable offenses.
For civil services aspirants, the PSI designation is not merely a government job but a calling that demands a unique blend of intellectual acumen, emotional resilience, and physical capability. The examination process reflects these diverse demands, testing candidates across three rigorous phases: a written Preliminary Examination, a specialized Mains Examination, a deman
%;”>Why it occurs
How to avoid it
Neglecting Paper 1 Languages
Overconfidence in language skills and over-allocation of time to law subjects.
Allocate at least 30% of your Mains preparation time to daily Marathi and English grammar practice.
Starting PET Practice post Mains results
Belief that physical fitness can be built quickly in the 30-45 days window between results and PET.
Start mild conditioning (running, basic exercises) during Prelims itself, escalating intensity after the Mains exam.
Rote memorization of laws without context
Studying law sections in isolation without looking at practical application or constitutional validity.
Study laws using case studies, landmark judgments, and relate procedural laws (CrPC/BNSS) with the duties of a PSI.
Poor time allocation in Prelims
Getting stuck on complex math/reasoning questions, leaving no time for GS questions.
Follow a strict time-budgeting strategy: solve GS and Current Affairs first (35-40 mins), then tackle Aptitude and Reasoning.
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Indian Polity M. Laxmikanth | McGraw Hill | 8th Edition 2025
Essential for Law & Constitution sections in PSI Mains Paper II.
This section covers the official Physical Eligibility Criteria and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) standards
for the Police Sub Inspector (PSI) post under MPSC Combined Group B examination.
Candidates must satisfy all criteria — written exam rank alone is not sufficient.
⚠️ Important: Physical standards are checked at the time of document verification after Mains.
Disqualification at the PET/physical stage means losing your candidature even if you cleared Prelims & Mains.
Start physical conditioning from Day 1 of your preparation.
👨 Physical Measurement Standards — Male Candidates
🏆 Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Event Standards
PET is conducted after the Mains written exam. All events are qualifying in nature
(pass/fail) — they do not add marks to the merit list. Failure in any single event results in disqualification.
🏃 800m Run — Male
General / OBC / SC
2 min 40 sec
ST Category
2 min 50 sec
Ex-Serviceman
3 min 00 sec
Attempts
1 attempt only
🏃 800m Run — Female
General / OBC / SC
4 min 00 sec
ST Category
4 min 15 sec
Ex-Servicewomen
4 min 30 sec
Attempts
1 attempt only
↔️ Long Jump — Male
General / OBC / SC
3.75 metres
ST Category
3.60 metres
Ex-Serviceman
3.00 metres
Attempts
3 attempts
↔️ Long Jump — Female
General / OBC / SC
3.00 metres
ST Category
2.75 metres
Ex-Servicewomen
2.50 metres
Attempts
3 attempts
⬆️ High Jump — Male
General / OBC / SC
1.10 metres
ST Category
1.05 metres
Ex-Serviceman
0.90 metres
Attempts
3 attempts
⬆️ High Jump — Female
General / OBC / SC
0.90 metres
ST Category
0.85 metres
Ex-Servicewomen
0.75 metres
Attempts
3 attempts
🔄 Shot Put — Male Only
Ball weight
7.26 kg
General / OBC / SC
5.60 metres
ST Category
5.00 metres
Ex-Serviceman
4.50 metres
🔄 Shot Put — Female Only
Ball weight
4 kg
General / OBC / SC
3.75 metres
ST Category
3.25 metres
Ex-Servicewomen
3.00 metres
🩺 Medical Fitness Standards
👁️
Vision (Eyesight)
Distant vision: 6/6 (better eye) & 6/9 (worse eye) without glasses.
Colour vision must be normal. Night blindness = disqualified.
👂
Hearing
No significant hearing impairment. Must hear conversational speech clearly at 6 metres without aids.
🫀
Cardiovascular
No history of heart disease, hypertension, or any cardiac condition. Blood pressure within normal range.
🦷
Teeth & Speech
Sufficient natural teeth for efficient mastication. No speech defects or stammering.
🦴
Orthopaedic
No physical deformity. Flat foot, knock knee, or varicose veins = disqualified.
🧠
Mental Health
No history of mental illness, epilepsy, or any neurological disorder.
🩸
General Fitness
No diabetes, no chronic disease, BMI within normal range. Haemoglobin ≥ 12 g/dL (female) / 13 g/dL (male).
📋
Medical Board
Final medical examination is conducted by a government-constituted medical board. Their decision is binding.
💪 Training Strategy: Begin running 800m daily from Month 1 — target sub-2:30 (male) or
sub-3:45 (female) for a safety buffer. Practice long jump & high jump at least 3× per week.
Get a medical eye test early — if your vision is borderline, consult an ophthalmologist well before the exam.
Do not wait until after Mains results to start physical conditioning — the PET window
is typically only 30–45 days after Mains results are declared.
