Why Study in Maharashtra?

Maharashtra is the economic and educational powerhouse of India. Home to Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Aurangabad, the state hosts over 4,600 colleges and dozens of universities that attract students from more than 80 countries every year. Whether you are pursuing engineering, medicine, law, management, pharmacy, or the social sciences, Maharashtra has a ranked institution to match your ambitions.

International students, including Foreign Nationals, NRIs, OCI and PIO cardholders, and CIWGC candidates, are admitted through a single centralised portal at fn.mahacet.org. There is no MHT-CET entrance exam requirement for international applicants. The one-time registration fee is USD $1,200 (USD $50 provisional + USD $1,150 registration), paid directly to the Maharashtra State CET Cell.

Ranking Methodology

The Top 10 Universities in Maharashtra

#1 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) — Mumbai

IIT Bombay is Maharashtra's most prestigious institution and consistently ranks among the top three engineering universities in all of India. Established in 1958 with support from UNESCO and the former Soviet Union, it has grown into a world-class research university offering programs from B.Tech to Ph.D. across engineering, design, humanities, management, and science. Its entrepreneurial culture has produced founders of some of India's most successful technology companies. For international students seeking a globally respected Indian engineering degree, IIT Bombay is the undisputed first choice in Maharashtra.

#2 Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) — Mumbai

HBNI is a deemed university that serves as the academic umbrella for India's premier scientific research institutions, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Ranked 12th nationally by NIRF 2025 in the Universities category, it is highly specialised in nuclear science, engineering, life sciences, and mathematical sciences. Graduate and doctoral programs here place students directly inside active research environments. International students with a strong science background and research ambitions will find HBNI offers a uniquely rigorous academic experience that no private university can replicate.

#3 Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) — Mumbai

ICT Mumbai is India's only specialised university dedicated entirely to chemical technology and related applied sciences. Ranked in the top 65 nationally by NIRF 2025, it is globally recognised for research in chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, food technology, and polymer engineering. Strong industry connections with the Mumbai petrochemical and pharmaceutical corridor make ICT graduates highly sought-after. International students from countries with growing chemical and manufacturing industries, particularly from Southeast Asia and Africa, find ICT's specialised degrees carry strong recognition value back home.

#4 SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) — Mumbai

NMIMS is Mumbai's top private deemed university, ranked 52nd nationally by NIRF 2025 with a score of 52.54. Founded in 1981, it has evolved from a management school into a full multi-disciplinary university offering programs in business, law, engineering, pharmacy, architecture, commerce, and liberal arts. NMIMS has a strong international student office and actively recruits from across the world. Its Mumbai campus is well-connected to the city's finance and commerce districts, giving students direct access to internship and placement opportunities with leading global firms.

#5 University of Mumbai — Mumbai

One of the oldest and largest universities in Asia, the University of Mumbai was founded in 1857 and today affiliates over 700 colleges across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It ranked 54th nationally in the NIRF 2025 University category with a score of 52.48. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across arts, science, commerce, law, education, engineering, management, and fine arts. Its affiliated colleges range from elite autonomous institutions to affordable government colleges, giving international students a wide spectrum of options at varying fee levels.

#6 Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) — Pune

Savitribai Phule Pune University, commonly known as Pune University, is the academic heart of the "Oxford of the East." Ranked 56th nationally by NIRF 2025, it affiliates over 800 colleges across Pune and Nashik districts. SPPU offers a vast range of disciplines including science, technology, management, social sciences, law, and education. Pune's thriving IT and manufacturing industry creates strong placement pipelines for graduates. The campus environment is vibrant, cosmopolitan, and particularly welcoming to international students from Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

#7 Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) — Mumbai

TISS is India's premier institution for social science education and research, founded in 1936 and awarded deemed university status in 1964. Ranked 72nd nationally by NIRF 2025, TISS is globally recognised for its programs in social work, human rights, public policy, education, health, and management of NGOs. The institute has a strong record of placing graduates into international development organisations, the UN system, and India's civil services. For international students from the development sector, TISS is unmatched in South Asia and offers a unique combination of academic rigour and social purpose.

#8 Symbiosis International (Deemed University) — Pune

Symbiosis International University was literally built around the idea of international education. Founded in 1971 in Pune specifically to support foreign students studying in India, SIU today ranks 24th nationally among universities by NIRF 2025 and 40th overall, with a QS World Ranking of 696. Accredited NAAC A++ and UGC Category-I, it offers programs in management, law, engineering, health sciences, media, and design. SIU has a dedicated international student centre and an established ecosystem for students from over 80 countries. It is one of the most internationally accessible universities in Maharashtra.

#9 Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University — Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth is one of the largest multi-faculty deemed universities in Maharashtra, ranked 59th nationally by NIRF 2025 with a score of 51.37. With campuses across Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolhapur, it offers a sweeping portfolio of programs spanning medicine, engineering, management, law, social sciences, education, and pharmacy. The university operates its own medical college and hospital, making it a strong destination for international medical students. Its relatively affordable fee structure compared to private universities in metropolitan India makes it a practical and highly regarded choice.

#10 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) — Aurangabad

BAMU is the premier university of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, named after India's Constitution architect Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. With over 450 affiliated colleges across Aurangabad, Jalna, Osmanabad, and Beed districts, it is a hub for students across central Maharashtra. BAMU offers programs in arts, commerce, science, law, management, and technology. Its location in Aurangabad, a growing manufacturing and industrial city, positions graduates well for careers in the automotive, pharma, and engineering sectors. International students benefit from significantly lower living costs compared to Mumbai and Pune.

Comparison: Top 10 Maharashtra Universities at a Glance

Use this table to compare institutions across ranking, city, program strength, and international student suitability before making your shortlist.

How to Apply as an International Student

All international students, regardless of which Maharashtra university they are targeting, apply through a single government portal: fn.mahacet.org. This is the official Maharashtra State CET Cell platform for Foreign Nationals, NRIs, OCI and PIO cardholders, and CIWGC candidates. You do not need to contact universities individually first. The centralised system covers 200+ colleges across all of Maharashtra and allows you to apply to multiple institutions simultaneously.

Your First Week in Maharashtra

Whether you land in Mumbai or Pune, your first week sets the tone for your entire study experience. Use this checklist to start strong.

Frequently Asked Questions