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.
What is B.E. / B.Tech in Maharashtra?
B.E. and B.Tech are four-year undergraduate engineering degrees offered by AICTE-approved colleges across Maharashtra. Branches include Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, and Electrical Engineering. The degree is recognized for employment and higher study worldwide.
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. If you are weighing exams, our guide on which exam international students need explains the full picture.
The only exceptions in Maharashtra are medical courses, which require NEET, and Architecture, which requires NATA. Engineering sits outside both.
Fees: What Will It Cost?
Your costs fall into two parts. The State CET Cell charges a USD 50 Eligibility Fee and a USD 1,150 one-time Processing Fee, both paid online to the portal. College tuition is separate and paid directly to your allotted college.
Engineering tuition is typically in the indicative range of USD 1,800 to USD 4,800 per year, depending on the college tier. These figures are indicative and change by college tier and year, so confirm the exact tuition with your allotted college before you pay.
Where Can You Study Engineering in Maharashtra?
Engineering colleges are spread across Maharashtra, with the largest clusters in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. Pune is known as a student city with a dense concentration of campuses, Mumbai offers strong industry links, and Nagpur anchors the Vidarbha region.
The State CET Cell allots your seat from the participating colleges based on your merit and your filled choices. For a college-by-college view, check the live list inside the portal during choice filling, since the participating institutes can change each year.
Who Can Apply?
The State CET Cell is strict about who files the application for Engineering. Three applicants are valid.
- Student: You can file your own application.
- Parent: Your Father or Mother.
- Legal Guardian: A guardian holding a valid Court Guardianship Certificate issued by an Indian Court under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
Relatives such as maternal or paternal aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and siblings cannot file the application, even if they live abroad or hold NRI status. Review the exact list for your category on the category checklist before you register.
The 3-Stage Payment and Verification Process
Admission on fn.mahacet.org moves through three payment stages that you complete in order.
Stage 1: Eligibility Fee
You pay the USD 50 Eligibility Fee and upload your documents for virtual verification.
- Outcome: Your Provisional Eligibility Letter appears in view-only mode. You cannot download it yet.
Stage 2: One-Time Processing Fee
After your eligibility is confirmed, you pay the USD 1,150 Processing Fee.
- Outcome: Download is enabled for your Provisional Eligibility Letter.
- You can upload your Visa, OCI card, or Country ID.
- You become eligible for the Merit List and Seat Allotment.
Stage 3: College Fees
Once a seat is allotted, you pay the college fees through the portal.
- Outcome: Download is enabled for your Provisional Admission Letter.
- You can upload medical and residency proof.
- Physical Document Verification begins.
Important Note on Physical Verification: Physical Document Verification happens only after all three payments are complete, and it takes place at your Allocated College when you report. There is no dedicated facilitation center for this step.
Documents You Will Need
Refer to the document checklist for your exact category, whether Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, or CIWGC.
- You must present Original Documents during physical verification.
- The system requires valid government-issued proof such as passports, birth certificates, residence permits, and visa documents. Documents not officially issued by a recognized government authority will not be accepted.
- If your documents are in another language, provide an English translation, and still present the Original Documents.
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.
Which engineering branches can I apply for?
Common branches include Computer, Information Technology, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, and Electrical Engineering. Availability depends on the participating colleges listed in the portal during choice filling.
Is the Maharashtra engineering degree recognized abroad?
Yes. Maharashtra engineering colleges are approved by AICTE, and the B.E. or B.Tech degree is recognized for employment and further study internationally.