Maharashtra Comes to a Standstill After Ajit Pawar’s Tragic Death; Schools Shut, Exams Postponed, Power Vacuum Emerges

Wednesday was a day of general mourning in Maharashtra, when the state government declared all schools, colleges, and government offices would be shut until January 30, 2026, to observe a three-day state mourning following the tragic accident of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister, in a disastrous plane crash near Baramati airport. The shocking loss of the 66-year-old long serving veteran leader and four more has shocked the state and caused an emotional outburst on both sides of the political debate and among citizens. In a show of respect, government, aided and private institutions of learning have been closed in the whole state, yet government offices continue to be closed during the period of mourning. 

Mumbai University Examinations have been postponed, allowing the emotional load of the situation. As per mourning protocol, the national flag of the country will be at half-mast on the government buildings and all government entertainment programmes have been abandoned. The last rites of Ajit Pawar will be held with state honours on Thursday, January 29 in Baramati, his constituency, and thousands of people are expected to attend a last farewell. At the same time, a group of investigators with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already started to investigate the cause of the accident, despite the fact that Maharashtra has now stalled its daily rhythm in contribute to the honour of one of its leaders who has now suffered an abrupt death in the political and social life of the state.

Mumbai University Postpones Exams as Grief Sweeps Maharashtra; Other Universities Expected to Fall in Line

Academic life in the whole of Maharashtra was brought to a sudden stop when Mumbai University cancelled all afternoon examinations on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 as a result of the tragic demise of a Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The verdict reveals how emotional the event was, with the state commemorating three days of mourning announced by the government. University officials also said that new examination dates will be provided later but students should ensure that they access the official site of Mumbai University on a regular basis to know of the revision. Although Mumbai University is the only university that has issued a notification, so far, it is assumed that all other state universities will follow closely with the directive of the government to close all government education, aided and private education institutions until January 30. There is a tradition of universities in Maharashtra to coordinate their school timetable during state-wide mourning to ensure consistency and sensitivity. It has also been recommended that students in other universities should keep on the look out regarding official releases by their respective administrations and college principals since more announcements are expected. This delay highlights the fact that the tragedy has transcended politics and brought about academic interruptions and put pity above time.

Power Vacuum After Ajit Pawar’s Death: CM Likely to Hold Fort as State Mourns a Fallen Leader

The unexpected death of a Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has left a huge administrative and political vacuum in Maharashtra, though the state is still in shock. It is yet to be officially announced that a temporary successor would take over the broad responsibilities of Pawar during the three-day mourning period. Pawar, who was one of the two Deputy Chief Ministers in the state, had key portfolios such as Finance, Planning, and State Excise and thus his absence was very badly felt in the state government machinery. According to the usual procedure Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is supposed to temporarily head these departments or share responsibilities with senior colleagues in the cabinet until an actual decision is made. Outside governance, the death of Pawar has rocked the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the ruling Mahayuti alliance, and this has sparked numerous political speculations. There is a talk of succession to the leadership of his camp where names like Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar have cropped up in the political scene of Baramati. Nevertheless, the officials have emphasised that no appointment or redistribution of portfolios would be made before the mourning period as the state first reconciles with the loss of one of the most influential leaders in the country.