Documents You Need Before Applying to Study in Maharashtra

Monali Sale

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Documents You Need Before Applying to Study in Maharashtra
Documents You Need Before Applying to Study in Maharashtra — 2026-27
Official Document Guide — Updated May 2026

Documents You Need Before Applying to Study in Maharashtra

Missing one document puts your application on hold. This guide lists the exact documents required for every international student category — sourced directly from the five official fn.mahacet.org document pages, last reviewed by the State CET Cell on May 7, 2026.

5 Student Categories Source: fn.mahacet.org Updated May 7, 2026 Free Eligibility Check 200+ Colleges · 50+ Courses

The Maharashtra international admission process is centrally managed by the State CET Cell through fn.mahacet.org. One of the most common reasons applications are delayed or placed on hold is missing or incorrect documents. This guide lists every required document for all five student categories — exactly as published on the official portal. Read your category, gather your documents, then apply.

Before you read further: your document list depends on your category — Foreign National, NRI, OCI/PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy. If you are not certain which applies to you, use the free category check at fn.mahacet.org/category-check first. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.

Documents Every Applicant Needs

Regardless of your category, the following student documents are required by all five categories. Prepare these first — they form the foundation of every application.

Category-Specific Documents (Part B)

In addition to the common student documents above, each category requires specific parent, guardian, or identity documents. Find your category below.

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Foreign National (FN)
Citizens of any country other than India holding a non-Indian passport

Part B — Parent / Guardian Documents

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No parent or guardian documents requiredFN applicants are fully exempt from submitting parent financial or residential documents. The application is entirely in the student's name.
Source: fn.mahacet.org/category-check/foreign-national-admission-eligibility-documents.html — "No Parent/Guardian Documents Required." Last reviewed May 7, 2026.
🇮🇳
Non-Resident Indian (NRI)
Indian citizens residing abroad with Indian passport, with NRI certificate from Indian Mission

Part B — Parent Documents

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Parent's Indian Passport
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NRI CertificateIssued by the Indian Embassy or Mission abroad. See fn.mahacet.org/category-check/how-do-i-get-an-nri-certificate.html for the step-by-step guide.
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Visa CopyParent's current valid visa for the country of residence.
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Work Permit / Employment Letter
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Foreign Bank StatementLast 6 months.
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Proof of Residence (Foreign Address Proof)

Part C — Guardian Documents (If Applicable)

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Court Guardianship CertificateOnly if applying through a legal guardian (not a parent). Applications by relatives such as uncle, aunt, grandparent, or sibling are NOT accepted. Only a parent (father or mother) or a legal guardian appointed by an Indian court under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 may apply.
Source: fn.mahacet.org/category-check/nri-admission-eligibility-documents.html. Last reviewed May 7, 2026.
🪪
OCI / PIO
Overseas Citizens of India and Persons of Indian Origin holding a valid OCI or PIO card

Part A Addition — Student Documents

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OCI / PIO CardMust be valid and issued by the Government of India. This is in addition to all common Part A student documents listed above.

Part B — Parent / Guardian Documents

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No parent or guardian documents requiredOCI / PIO applicants are exempt from submitting parent financial or residential documents.
Source: fn.mahacet.org/category-check/oci-pio-admission-eligibility-documents.html. Last reviewed May 7, 2026.
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CIWGC
Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries — parent must hold valid Gulf work permit

Part B — Parent Documents

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Parent's Indian Passport
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Gulf Country ID / Resident Card
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Valid Working Visa
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Work Permit / Employment Letter
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Gulf Bank StatementLast 6 months.
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CIWGC / NRI CertificateIssued by the Indian Embassy or Mission abroad in the Gulf country.
Source: fn.mahacet.org/category-check/ciwgc-admission-eligibility-documents.html. Last reviewed May 7, 2026.
⚓
Children of Seafarers (Merchant Navy)
Children of registered Indian seafarers with valid CDC and employment record

Part B — Parent Documents

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Parent's Indian Passport
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Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)The seafarer's primary credential issued by the Directorate General of Shipping. See fn.mahacet.org/category-check/how-to-get-seafarer-documents-cdc-indos-rpsl.html for the process.
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DG Shipping Service RecordMust include the INDOS (Indian National Database of Seafarers) Number.
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Letter of EmploymentMust mention the RPSL (Recruiting and Placement of Seafarers Licence) Number.
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Foreign Bank StatementLast 6 months.
Source: fn.mahacet.org/category-check/merchant-navy-admission-eligibility-documents.html — Note: Offshore rig workers or oil platform workers do NOT qualify under this category. Last reviewed May 7, 2026.

Three Things That Apply to Every Category

NEET is mandatory for medical courses. All applicants — regardless of category — must have a valid NEET UG or NEET PG score to apply for MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses. This requirement is confirmed on the official NRI document page and applies across all five categories. No other course in the fn.mahacet.org portal requires an entrance exam for international students.
AIU Eligibility Certificate — apply early. If your 10th or 12th qualifying exam was completed outside India under a foreign board, you need an AIU (Association of Indian Universities) Eligibility Certificate. This is NOT required for students who studied under CBSE, ICSE, or any Indian state board. AIU processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Do not wait until your application is submitted — apply for this certificate as soon as you decide to apply to Maharashtra.
Postgraduate applicants need one extra set. If you are applying for any PG course (M.E./M.Tech, MBA/MMS, M.Pharm, MCA, etc.), you must also submit your Graduation Marksheet and Degree/Convocation Certificate. These are in addition to all the documents listed above and are mandatory across all five categories for PG admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit original documents or digital uploads?

The fn.mahacet.org portal accepts digital uploads during the online application. However, you must carry your original documents when you arrive in Maharashtra to complete in-person verification at your allotted college. Keep originals and multiple certified copies of every document.

My application was placed on hold — what does that mean?

Applications are placed on hold when documents are missing, illegible, or do not match the information submitted in the form. The portal notifies you with the specific reason. Log back in, upload the corrected document, and resubmit. For help resolving holds, contact student@mahacet.org or call +91-9076000348 with a screenshot of the hold notice — the CET Cell aims to resolve issues within two working days.

My father is the NRI / seafarer but he is not available — can a relative apply on my behalf?

No. The fn.mahacet.org NRI document page is explicit: applications by relatives such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, or siblings are NOT accepted. Only the father, mother, or a legal guardian formally appointed by an Indian court under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 can apply. If neither parent is available, a Court Guardianship Certificate from an Indian court is required.

I studied under a foreign board — how do I get an AIU certificate?

Apply directly to the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) at New Delhi. You will need your 10th and 12th marksheets, school certificates, passport, and a completed AIU application form. The process is managed independently of fn.mahacet.org. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing and start the application as early as possible.

Where do I get my NRI certificate?

The NRI certificate is issued by the Indian Embassy or High Commission or Consulate in your parent's country of residence. fn.mahacet.org has a step-by-step guide at fn.mahacet.org/category-check/how-do-i-get-an-nri-certificate.html covering the process for each country. The certificate confirms your parent's NRI status and is required for both NRI and CIWGC applications.

Where do I start the application once documents are ready?

Go to fn.mahacet.org, create your account, and begin the registration. Upload your documents and pay the USD $50 eligibility fee to submit to the CET Cell for verification. After eligibility is confirmed, pay the USD $1,150 registration fee to proceed to college allotment. Total government portal fee: USD $1,200. For support: student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm IST).

Documents Ready? Your Application Starts Here.

200+ colleges. 50+ courses. One official portal. Once your documents are in order, the application itself takes under 30 minutes. Start with the free eligibility check.

Start at fn.mahacet.org

Questions? student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 · Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm IST

Begin Your Application at fn.mahacet.org

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