Maharashtra waives exam fees for 2.4 lakh drought-hit students 

The Maharashtra government has waived examination fees for 2,40,365 students across 26 state universities as part of its relief measures for students from drought-affected regions. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that drought-related hardships do not disrupt students’ higher education.

The state’s Higher and Technical Education Department has directed universities not to collect examination fees from eligible students belonging to 305 drought-affected talukas. The number of affected talukas was increased from 265 following a government resolution issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department on September 25, 2026.

Students submitting their examination forms can use the ‘zero challan’ option to complete the process without paying examination fees. The department has also initiated refunds for eligible students who had already paid the fees before the waiver was implemented.

According to officials, the number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed five lakh by the October 30 deadline for submitting examination forms.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said the government’s decision was intended to ensure that students from drought-hit families do not face additional financial difficulties in continuing their education. The department is monitoring the implementation of the waiver across participating universities.

The University of Mumbai has also begun processing refunds amounting to approximately Rs 3.5 crore for eligible students who had already paid their examination fees.

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Universities have been instructed to issue circulars informing students about the fee exemption and ensure that eligible applicants can access the benefit. Students facing difficulties in availing themselves of the waiver have been advised to contact the nodal officers or helplines provided by their respective universities.

The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of additional students before the deadline, providing financial relief to those pursuing higher education in Maharashtra’s drought-affected regions.