Your Dream College is Just One Application Away
Your Dream College is Just One Application Away
700+ colleges. 50+ courses. Students from 68 countries. The Government of Maharashtra runs a single-window admission portal for international students — one application, transparent fees, zero middlemen. Here is everything you need to walk through it.
Most students applying to study abroad deal with a familiar problem: different applications for every college, agents who charge for what should be free, and a system that feels deliberately complicated. Maharashtra solves all three. The Government of Maharashtra operates fn.mahacet.org — a single official portal where one application gives you access to 200+ colleges, centrally managed by the State CET Cell, with no agents required and fees published transparently on the homepage.
Here is a clear-eyed look at who can apply, what is available, what it costs, and — in the words of students already enrolled — what it actually feels like to study here.
Who Can Apply
The portal serves five specific categories of international candidates. Finding your category is the first step — and it is free.
Who qualifies
Non-Indian passport holders worldwide
Key document
Valid passport + 12th-grade marksheets. Student visa required for most nationalities. Nepal citizens do not require a visa under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty.
Who qualifies
Indian citizens residing abroad
Key document
Valid Indian passport + NRI certificate issued by an Indian Mission or Post abroad. Covers Indian citizens abroad for employment, business, or indefinite stay.
Who qualifies
OCI or PIO cardholders; Indian-origin foreign nationals
Key document
OCI card or PIO card alongside foreign passport. Includes second and third-generation Indians settled abroad.
Who qualifies
Children of Indian nationals working in UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, or Kuwait
Key document
Parent's work permit and Gulf residence proof, alongside the student's own passport and academic documents.
Who qualifies
Children or wards of Indian seafarers and merchant navy personnel
Key document
Parent's Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) from the Directorate General of Shipping, confirming NRI status through international vessel service.
What to do
Run the official category check
How
Visit fn.mahacet.org/category-check — answer two questions about your passport type and Indian-origin documentation. No payment required at this stage.
What It Costs — Transparent and Fixed
The State CET Cell publishes all fees on the homepage. There are two payments to the government portal, both non-refundable, and a separate tuition fee paid directly to whichever college you join.
Complete Fee Picture — 2026-27
Government portal fees are fixed and published on fn.mahacet.org. Tuition varies by college and course, regulated by mahafra.org.
* Monthly living costs: Nagpur $150–$300 · Pune $200–$400 · Mumbai $350–$600 — including hostel, food, and transport. Source: studyinmaharashtra.org and fn.mahacet.org. Tuition regulated by Maharashtra Fee Regulatory Authority (mahafra.org).
The Six Steps From Application to Arrival
The process runs entirely through the portal. No college-by-college applications. No agents. No offline payments — all fees are paid online through the integrated payment gateway on fn.mahacet.org, which supports major international cards and converts USD fees automatically.
Students Who Made the Move
These testimonials are sourced directly from fn.mahacet.org — students currently enrolled at Maharashtra institutions.
Growing up in a small city in Bangladesh, I never imagined that I would one day be part of this incredible journey. Living in Mumbai has been a transformative experience — a vibrant, bustling metropolis that pulses with an unstoppable energy. This dynamic urban life is perfectly balanced by my experience on the IIT Bombay campus, nestled alongside the serene Powai Lake — an oasis of intellectual rigour and quiet reflection.
I selected Mumbai University specifically because of its reputation as one of India's premier institutions, offering a dynamic environment for research and critical engagement with global issues. The University's location in Mumbai — a vibrant, multicultural city — provides me with exposure to diverse ideas, cultures, and opportunities that enrich both my academic journey and personal growth.
I chose Mumbai University because it is the commercial capital of India, offering a dynamic environment shaped by both global and diverse local business activities. In this era of rapid globalisation, Mumbai provides a unique opportunity to experience the rich cross-cultural diversity represented by people from all 28 states of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The single-window system at fn.mahacet.org lets you browse and select multiple colleges and courses within one application. You may receive offers from multiple institutions but can confirm only one seat. This is managed entirely through the portal — no separate applications to individual colleges.
No. Both the USD $50 eligibility fee and the USD $1,150 registration fee are non-refundable, as stated on fn.mahacet.org. The CET Cell recommends completing the free eligibility check first to confirm which courses you qualify for before paying either fee. College tuition — which is separate — is governed by individual college policies.
Yes. The fn.mahacet.org portal accepts payments online only — no offline or cash payments. The integrated payment gateway (CCAvenue, as confirmed in the portal FAQ) supports major international credit and debit cards and converts USD fees at the prevailing exchange rate automatically. No Indian bank account is required to apply.
No. fn.mahacet.org is a direct government-to-student system. The State CET Cell manages registration, document verification, eligibility, and college allotment centrally. No agent is required, and no agent should charge you for facilitating what is a free-to-check, self-service government portal.
Applications are placed on hold for reasons such as missing documents, verification issues, or incomplete information. The portal notifies you with the reason. You can resolve most issues by uploading the requested documents and logging back in. For technical problems, contact student@mahacet.org or call +91-9076000348 with a screenshot — the CET Cell resolves most queries within two working days.
Start at fn.mahacet.org/category-check. It takes two minutes, costs nothing, and confirms your eligibility category, the documents you need, and the courses you qualify for — before you commit a single dollar. For direct support: student@mahacet.org or call +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm IST).
One Application. 700+ Colleges. Your Move.
Students from Sierra Leone, Japan, Oman, Bangladesh, Italy, and 63 other countries have already done this. The category check is free. The portal is official. The only thing left is your first click.
Start Free at fn.mahacet.orgQuestions? student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 · Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm IST
