Why Maharashtra is a Top Destination for Indonesian Students
Why Maharashtra is a Top Destination for Indonesian Students
Merit-based seats. USD $1,200 one-time government fee. Direct flights from Jakarta. Engineering from $600 per year. 200+ colleges through one official portal. Here is why Indonesia is among the countries represented at Maharashtra universities — and exactly how to apply.
Maharashtra's official admissions portal — fn.mahacet.org, operated by the Government of Maharashtra's State CET Cell — lists Indonesia among the countries it actively serves, with a dedicated guide available in Bahasa Indonesia at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia-bahasa. Indonesian students apply as Foreign National Students (FNS), with merit-based admission to 200+ colleges across 50+ courses, no MHT-CET entrance exam, and one centralised application for the entire state. This guide covers the reasons, the costs, the process, and the specifics — sourced from fn.mahacet.org and studyinmaharashtra.org.
Why Indonesian Students Choose Maharashtra
Indonesian students applying through fn.mahacet.org as Foreign National Students (FNS) do not sit any Indian entrance examination. There is no MHT-CET, no JEE Main, no NMAT for MBA. Admission is based entirely on merit from the Indonesian qualifying examination — the equivalent of Ijazah SMA (12th standard school-leaving certificate). For Engineering, Computer Science, and Pharmacy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics results from the Indonesian national curriculum are the admission criteria.
The only exceptions are MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH medical courses, which require a valid NEET-UG score — a Government of India regulation with no international exception. B.Arch requires a valid NATA score. All other 50+ course types are entrance-exam-free for Indonesian FNS applicants.
Maharashtra's government college tuition fees are among the most affordable in Asia for internationally recognised degrees. For Indonesian families comparing costs against studying in Australia, the UK, or the US, the difference is significant.
fn.mahacet.org confirms: "40-60% lower fees compared to Western universities." The one-time CET Cell government portal fee of USD $1,200 (USD $50 eligibility + USD $1,150 registration) is paid once and does not recur annually. College tuition — from $600 to $6,000 per year depending on course and institution type — is paid separately to the college.
Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) connects directly to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). Direct flight time is approximately 6 hours 30 minutes, with IndiGo operating multiple weekly direct services on the CGK–BOM route. For Indonesian students, this means going home for semester break or a family occasion is practical — not a two-day journey through multiple connections.
Mumbai's CSIA airport connects to 50+ countries with direct flights, per studyinmaharashtra.org — giving Indonesian students strong onward connectivity as well. Pune International Airport (PNQ) also serves 25+ destinations for students at Pune-based colleges.
Degrees from AICTE-approved and UGC-recognised colleges in Maharashtra are recognised internationally for employment and further study. studyinmaharashtra.org confirms that international accreditations at top Maharashtra institutions include ABET, AACSB, NBA, and NAAC — matching or exceeding the international recognition available at many private universities in Indonesia or in higher-cost destinations abroad.
For Indonesian students planning careers in engineering, technology, pharmacy, or management — sectors where Maharashtra has direct industry density — a Maharashtra degree creates pathways both in India and internationally. fn.mahacet.org confirms: "thousands of successful international alumni working globally" from participating institutions. All courses for international students are taught in English, confirmed by studyinmaharashtra.org.
The entire Maharashtra international admission process runs through a single official government portal — fn.mahacet.org — operated by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra. For Indonesian students, a dedicated guide is available in Bahasa Indonesia at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia-bahasa. The English version is at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia.
One application gives access to 200+ colleges across Maharashtra's six major university cities — Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, and Kolhapur. The eligibility check is free, takes two minutes, and confirms which courses the student qualifies for before any payment is made.
Complete Fee Picture for Indonesian Students
All figures below are sourced from fn.mahacet.org (portal fees) and studyinmaharashtra.org (tuition and living costs). The CET Cell fee and college tuition are separate payments — the CET Cell fee is paid once, the tuition is paid annually to the college.
Official Fees — Indonesian FNS Students 2026-27
CET Cell fees from fn.mahacet.org FAQ. Tuition from studyinmaharashtra.org fee table. Living costs from studyinmaharashtra.org city breakdown.
| Fee / Cost | Amount | Paid To | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Fee | USD $50 | State CET Cell · fn.mahacet.org | One-time · Non-refundable |
| Registration Fee | USD $1,150 | State CET Cell · fn.mahacet.org | One-time · Non-refundable |
| Total CET Cell Fee | USD $1,200 | Government of Maharashtra | Paid once · Does not recur |
| B.E./B.Tech Tuition | INR 50,000–1,50,000 ($600–$1,800/yr govt.) | College directly | Annual · varies by institution |
| MBBS Tuition | INR 1,00,000–3,00,000 ($1,200–$3,600/yr govt.) | College directly | Annual · NEET required |
| MBA/MMS Tuition | INR 50,000–2,00,000 ($600–$2,400/yr govt.) | College directly | Annual · No entrance exam |
| Living — Pune/Nagpur | $200–$400/month | Day-to-day | Monthly |
| Living — Mumbai | $350–$600/month | Day-to-day | Monthly · Highest cost city |
* All CET Cell fees are online only — CCAvenue gateway. International cards and Rupiah-denominated payments accepted with automatic currency conversion. Tuition regulated by Maharashtra Fee Regulatory Authority (mahafra.org). Source: fn.mahacet.org FAQ and studyinmaharashtra.org.
How Indonesian Students Apply — Step by Step
The 6-Step Application Process — fn.mahacet.org
Source: fn.mahacet.org 6 Simple Steps and studyinmaharashtra.org Admission Process.
Frequently Asked Questions — Indonesian Students
Yes. fn.mahacet.org has a dedicated guide for Indonesian students in Bahasa Indonesia at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia-bahasa. The English version is at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia. Both are operated by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra.
No — for most courses. Indonesian Foreign National Students are exempt from MHT-CET, JEE Main, CAT, and all other Indian entrance exams for Engineering, Pharmacy, MBA, Law, Hotel Management, and Agriculture. Admission is based entirely on SMA (12th equivalent) marks. The only exceptions: MBBS and BDS require a valid NEET-UG score, and B.Arch requires a valid NATA score.
Indonesian students completing Ijazah SMA (the Indonesian school-leaving certificate) under the national curriculum need an AIU (Association of Indian Universities) equivalency certificate confirming this is equivalent to the Indian 12th standard. Apply at aiu.ac.in — allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. Begin this before you start your fn.mahacet.org registration to avoid delays.
Yes. ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships covering tuition and a living allowance are available to Indonesian students — apply at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in. The Study in India (SII) programme at studyinindia.gov.in also offers fee waivers at partner institutions. Per fn.mahacet.org's scholarship guide: scholarship applications run separately from your fn.mahacet.org admission — register on the portal in parallel, do not wait for scholarship confirmation before applying.
Go to fn.mahacet.org and run the free category check — it confirms your FNS eligibility, the documents you need, and the courses you qualify for. A Bahasa Indonesia guide is at fn.mahacet.org/study-indonesia-bahasa. For support: student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm IST).
Jakarta to Maharashtra — Direct Flight. One Portal. Eligibility Check Is Free.
200+ colleges. 50+ courses. No entrance exam for most programmes. A Bahasa Indonesia guide. Merit-based seats confirmed through the Government of Maharashtra's official portal.
Check Your Eligibility at fn.mahacet.orgQuestions? student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 · Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm IST
