Do international students need to take the MHT CET exam to study in Maharashtra?

No. International category students (FNS, NRI, OCI, CIWGC) do not need to appear for the MHT CET entrance exam. Admission is based on qualifying examination marks and seat availability in the international quota.

Is fn.mahacet.org the official admission portal for international students in Maharashtra?

Yes. fn.mahacet.org is operated by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Government of Maharashtra. It is the only official single-window admission portal for international category students.

Can international students apply to multiple colleges in Maharashtra?

Yes. Through the single-window system, you can apply to multiple colleges and courses. However, you can confirm only one seat after receiving offers.

Are degrees from Maharashtra colleges internationally recognised?

Degrees from AICTE-approved and UGC-recognised colleges in Maharashtra are recognised globally. Always verify that your chosen college holds the relevant accreditation before accepting admission.

What is the medium of instruction for international students in Maharashtra?

All courses for international students are taught in English. Textbooks, examinations, and academic materials are in English.

Is on-campus accommodation available for international students?

Most colleges offer on-campus hostels for international students at subsidised rates. Where hostel space is limited, colleges assist with finding approved off-campus accommodation.

Can international students work while studying in Maharashtra?

Student visa holders can undertake internships related to their course. Part-time employment rules vary by visa type. Nepal citizens have unrestricted working rights in India.

How much does it cost to study in Maharashtra as an international student?

Annual tuition fees range from $600 to $18,000 USD depending on course and institution type. There is a one-time CET Cell processing fee of $1,200 USD. Monthly living costs range from $150-600 depending on city.

Do Nepal citizens need a visa to study in Maharashtra?

No. Under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Nepali citizens do not require a visa to enter India. They can travel with just their Nepali passport and admission letter.

What documents are required for admission in Maharashtra colleges?

Required documents include: 10th/12th mark sheets and certificates, equivalence certificate, migration/transfer certificate, valid passport (2+ years validity), student visa (except Nepal citizens), passport photos, birth certificate, bank statement showing sufficient funds, and sponsorship letter if applicable. All documents must be in English or officially translated.

International Students: MHT-CET Is Not Your Gate! Here's the One That Is..

Kalyani Shinde

16 Apr 2026 — 2 min read

Maharashtra has a separate, official admission route built exclusively for NRI, OCI (PIO), CIWGC, Merch.Navy and Foreign National students. If you're still looking at CET dates, you may be standing at the wrong door entirely.

Every season, a wave of confusion sweeps across international student communities. MHT CET dates flood social media. Admit card links get shared across WhatsApp groups. Cutoff predictions trend on forums. And somewhere in the middle of that noise, thousands of NRI, OCI, and Foreign National students start panicking - not realizing that this race was never meant for them.

We want to be direct: MHT CET is designed for domestic students competing under the general merit category. If you hold NRI, OCI (PIO), CIWGC, Merch.Navy and Foreign National, Maharashtra has built an entirely different admission infrastructure for you - and it is called the Foreign Candidate Registration (FCR) Portal, accessible at fn.mahacet.org.

What Is the FCR Portal?

The FCR Portal is a Single-Window Admission Portal established by the Government of Maharashtra's State Common Entrance Test Cell, under Section 10 of the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions Act, 2015. It is the official, government-authorised platform through which international and NRI-category students can register, apply, and secure admissions into Maharashtra's top professional institutions - without appearing for MHT CET.

The portal covers an extensive range of programmes across multiple education streams:

Undergraduate Courses: BE / B.Tech, B.Arch, B.HMCT, B.Plan, B.Pharm / Pharm D Postgraduate Courses: ME / M.Tech, MBA / MMS, M.Arch, MCA, M.HMCT, M.Plan, M.Pharm / Pharm D

Beyond technical and higher education, the portal also extends to Agriculture, Fine Arts, Medical, and AYUSH courses - making Maharashtra one of the most comprehensive destinations for international student admissions in India.

Who Qualifies for the Foreign Candidate Route?

This is the question every international student must answer first - before assuming CET applies to them.

The FCR Portal serves the following student categories:

NRI (Non-Resident Indians)
OCI/PIO (Overseas Citizens of India)
CIWGC (Overseas Citizens of India)
Merchant Navy
FN (Foreign National)

If you or a parent falls under any of these categories, your admission does not go through the domestic CET queue. Instead, you qualify under a separate foreign student quota, where eligibility is typically evaluated on the basis of your previous academic marks — not a competitive entrance exam score.

Not sure which category applies to you? The portal has a built-in "Find My Student Category" tool at fn.mahacet.org/category-check/ that helps you identify your classification in minutes.

Why This Distinction Matters More Than Ever

Maharashtra is one of India's most sought-after destinations for professional education. Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik are home to some of the country's most reputed engineering, management, pharmacy, and architecture institutions. The demand from domestic students is enormous - which is precisely why the government established a dedicated lane for international candidates.

By using the FCR route, eligible students avoid competing with the domestic applicant pool entirely. They register through a structured, government-backed single-window system, with clear timelines, dedicated helplines, and official notifications - all centralized at one portal.