International students can study B.E. or B.Tech in Maharashtra without taking JEE Main or MHT CET. Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, and CIWGC applicants are admitted on 12th-grade merit through the 15% supernumerary quota, with registration to college allotment handled centrally on fn.mahacet.org.
A B.E. or B.Tech in Maharashtra is open to international students on the strength of their 12th-grade marks alone. Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, and CIWGC applicants skip JEE Main and MHT CET, and apply through the State CET Cell portal at fn.mahacet.org for a merit-based engineering seat across 200+ AICTE-approved colleges.
What is B.E. / B.Tech?
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) are four-year undergraduate engineering degrees offered by AICTE-approved colleges across Maharashtra. The two titles are academically equivalent — the difference is only in what the awarding university chooses to call the degree. Branches include Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Electrical, AI & Machine Learning, Data Science, and more.
Why Maharashtra for Engineering?
Maharashtra is one of India's largest and most respected engineering education hubs. The state hosts institutions of national repute affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University, Mumbai University, and autonomous universities like COEP and VJTI. Pune in particular is known as a student city, while Mumbai offers some of the strongest industry links in the country.
- 200+ colleges participating in the international quota.
- No entrance exam — admission on 12th-grade merit for international categories.
- English-medium instruction across all engineering programmes.
- Globally recognised AICTE-approved degree.
Do You Need an Entrance Exam?
No. For B.E. and B.Tech, international students are admitted on 12th-grade merit in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. You do not need JEE Main or MHT CET. The only exceptions in Maharashtra are medical courses, which require NEET, and Architecture, which requires NATA. Engineering sits outside both.
How the Admission Works — In Brief
The entire process is handled on one portal, fn.mahacet.org, in three stages: you pay a USD 50 eligibility fee and upload documents for verification; once eligibility is confirmed you pay a USD 1,150 processing fee to unlock the merit list and seat allotment; and finally, once a seat is allotted, you pay your college fees and report for physical document verification.
One portal, start to finish: Registration, document verification, merit listing, and college allotment for the international quota are all managed centrally by the State CET Cell. There is no separate college-by-college application.
This Guide Series
This is the overview. For the full detail on each part of your B.E. / B.Tech journey, the four companion guides below cover eligibility by category, the complete fee breakdown, the best colleges, and the long-term value of the degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students need JEE Main for B.Tech in Maharashtra?
No. B.E. and B.Tech seats for Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, and CIWGC applicants are filled on 12th-grade merit in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. JEE Main and MHT CET are not required.
How long is the B.E. / B.Tech programme?
It is a four-year (eight-semester) full-time undergraduate degree taught in English at AICTE-approved colleges across Maharashtra.
Is the Maharashtra engineering degree recognised abroad?
Yes. Maharashtra engineering colleges are approved by AICTE, and the B.E. or B.Tech degree is recognised for employment and further study internationally.
Where do I apply for B.E. / B.Tech as an international student?
All applications for the international quota are made through the single official portal, fn.mahacet.org, run by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra.