Student Category Check: How International Students Apply to Study in Maharashtra (2026-27)
Student Category Check: How International Students Apply to Study in Maharashtra
A clear walkthrough of the official admission portal: identify your category, check your eligibility, prepare your documents, follow the application process, and understand the fees.
Maharashtra's official admission portal for international students is fn.mahacet.org, the Foreign Candidates Registration Portal run by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Government of Maharashtra. It serves Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC and Merchant Navy candidates. Domestic Indian students apply separately through cetcell.mahacet.org.
With 50+ courses, 200+ colleges and one application, the portal includes a guided category check that walks you through your category, your eligibility, your documents, the application process, and the fees. This guide follows that same journey from start to finish.
Start With the Category Check
The portal begins by helping you identify your admission category. The check is quick, about 30 seconds, and asks two short questions.
Based on your answers, the portal shows your indicative category. In total, the portal serves six candidate types: Foreign National (FN), NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, and Merchant Navy. You can run the category check yourself at fn.mahacet.org.
Your Application Journey, Stage by Stage
The category check guides you through six stages, from identifying your category to finishing your application.
Eligibility: The Grades and Subjects You Need
After your category, the portal shows the grades required for your degree. First, choose your course level, undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG). Each program then lists its required subjects and mandatory documents.
Required subjects (PCM)
Physics, Chemistry, Maths
Mandatory documents
10th Marksheet and 12th Marksheet
Required subjects (PCB)
Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Mandatory documents
10th Marksheet and 12th Marksheet
Documents You Need to Submit
The portal then lists the documents required for your application. For a Foreign National application, these appear under your Student Documents. You upload them online while filling out the admission form, and the mandatory academic documents are your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets.
How to Apply: Step by Step
The application runs in two phases. Phase one covers your application and eligibility. Phase two covers admission and reporting.
The Application Fees
The portal is transparent about its fees. There are two portal fees, plus your college fees, which vary by college and course.
Official Fee Breakdown, 2026-27
Two one-time portal fees, paid to the State CET Cell, plus your college fees
* Source: the official fn.mahacet.org admission and fee steps.
Before You Apply: Quick Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the portal's category check. It takes about 30 seconds and asks two questions: which passport the student holds, and whether the student holds an OCI or PIO card. It then shows your indicative category, such as Foreign National.
B.E. and B.Tech require Physics, Chemistry and Maths (PCM). B.Pharma and Bio-Tech require Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB). Both need your 10th and 12th marksheets.
Your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets are the mandatory academic documents. You upload your documents online while filling out the admission form.
There are two portal fees: a USD $50 eligibility application fee and a USD $1,150 one-time admission processing fee. College fees are separate and vary by college and course.
College allotment happens only for students who have paid the USD $1,150 admission processing fee.
Your admission remains provisional until your college verifies and approves your documents.
Ready to Study in Maharashtra?
Start with the category check, confirm your eligibility and documents, and follow the application steps through the official State CET Cell portal.
Start Your Application at fn.mahacet.orgQuestions? Email student@mahacet.org
