Maharashtra is India's most accessible state for international students. The Government of Maharashtra's State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) manages a dedicated single-window portal — fn.mahacet.org — that handles all admissions for international and reserved-category students. This guide explains every step: who can apply, what categories exist, which courses are available, what documents are needed, how the payment process works, and how to get your seat.
Who Can Apply? — The 6 Admission Categories
Maharashtra's 15% Supernumerary Quota creates extra seats in every participating college — above and beyond the regular intake — exclusively for international applicants. Because these seats are additional, international students do not compete with domestic Indian candidates. There are six admission categories. Use the category-check tool on the portal to identify yours before applying.
| # | Category | Who Qualifies | Key Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foreign National (FN) | Citizens of any country other than India — holding a non-Indian passport | Valid foreign passport |
| 2 | NRI | Indian citizens whose parent is employed abroad with a valid foreign address | NRI Certificate + parent's employment proof |
| 3 | OCI | Overseas Citizens of India — holding a valid OCI card in the candidate's own name | Valid OCI card (candidate's own) |
| 4 | PIO | Persons of Indian Origin — holding a valid PIO card in the candidate's own name | Valid PIO card (candidate's own) |
| 5 | CIWGC | Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries — both parents hold Indian passports; working parent employed in a Gulf country | Parent's Gulf residence proof + employment letter + CIWGC certificate |
| 6 | Merchant Navy | Children of seafarers employed on registered merchant ships — with valid CDC, INDOS Number, and RPSL Letter | Parent's Continuous Discharge Certificate + RPSL letter |
What Courses Are Available?
The 15% Supernumerary Quota covers all technical and professional programs governed by the State CET Cell. Below are the most commonly applied-for courses, their duration, entrance exam requirements, and approximate annual fee ranges for international students.
| Course | Level | Duration | Entrance Exam | Required Subjects | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE / B.Tech | UG | 4 years | None – 12th merit | Physics, Chemistry, Maths | INR 50,000 – 5,00,000 |
| MBBS | UG | 5.5 years | NEET UG required | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | INR 1,00,000 – 15,00,000 |
| B.Pharm / Pharm D | UG | 4 / 6 years | None – 12th merit | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | INR 30,000 – 3,00,000 |
| B.HMCT (Hotel Mgmt.) | UG | 4 years | None – 12th merit | Any stream | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
| B.Arch | UG | 5 years | NATA required | Maths mandatory | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
| B.Plan | UG | 4 years | None – 12th merit | Maths mandatory | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
| MBA / MMS | PG | 2 years | None – degree merit | Any bachelor's degree | INR 50,000 – 8,00,000 |
| MCA | PG | 2 years | None – degree merit | Any bachelor's degree | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
| ME / M.Tech | PG | 2 years | None – degree merit | BE/B.Tech or equivalent | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
| BDS (Dental) | UG | 5 years | NEET UG required | Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Refer fn.mahacet.org after college selection |
NEET is mandatory for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BHMS. NATA is mandatory for B.Arch and M.Arch. All other programs admit international students on 12th-grade or degree merit, with no Indian entrance exam required. For the full course catalogue, visit fn.mahacet.org/coursedetail.php.
Documents Required
All documents are uploaded digitally on fn.mahacet.org during the registration process. Original documents are verified physically at the allocated college — only after seat allotment and after paying the college fees (Stage 3) and reporting in person. Verification does not take place at any facilitation centre or CET Cell office. Documents must be in English; foreign-language documents require certified translations.
Part A — Student Documents (All Categories)
Part B — Parent / Guardian Documents
Parent documents vary by category. Foreign National (FN) and OCI/PIO students do not need to submit parent documents. CIWGC, NRI, and Merchant Navy students must additionally submit their parent's Gulf employment proof, NRI certificate, or seafarer documentation respectively. Check your full category-specific document checklist at fn.mahacet.org/category-check.
Fees & The 3-Stage Payment Process
The admission process at fn.mahacet.org involves three stages of payment. Each stage unlocks the next step — you cannot proceed without completing the previous payment. The first two payments go to the State CET Cell; the third goes directly to your allocated college.
Indicative Annual Tuition Fees (Paid to College)
| Course | Government College (INR) | Private College (INR) | Equivalent USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE / B.Tech | INR 50,000 – 1,50,000 | INR 1,00,000 – 5,00,000 | $600 – $6,000 |
| MBBS | INR 1,00,000 – 3,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 – 15,00,000 | $1,200 – $18,000 |
| MBA / MMS | INR 50,000 – 2,00,000 | INR 2,00,000 – 8,00,000 | $600 – $9,600 |
| B.Pharm | INR 30,000 – 80,000 | INR 80,000 – 3,00,000 | $360 – $3,600 |
| LL.B. | INR 20,000 – 50,000 | INR 1,00,000 – 4,00,000 | $240 – $4,800 |
*Fees vary by institution. Exact fees published on fn.mahacet.org after college selection. Fees regulated by the Maharashtra Fee Regulatory Authority (mahafra.org). Source: studyinmaharashtra.org.
Monthly Living Costs (Estimated)
| City | Monthly Cost (USD) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pune | $200 – $400 / month | Hostel, food, transport |
| Mumbai | $350 – $600 / month | Hostel, food, transport |
| Nagpur | $150 – $300 / month | Hostel, food, transport |
Step-by-Step Application Process
The entire admission process runs online through fn.mahacet.org. There are six stages from your first visit to reporting at your Maharashtra college.
Identify Your Admission Category at fn.mahacet.org
Visit fn.mahacet.org/category-check and use the category-check tool to confirm whether you apply as a Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy candidate. Each category has a different document checklist. Download and review your category's checklist before doing anything else — this prevents incomplete uploads that cause delays.
Check Course Eligibility and Prepare Documents
Confirm the subject requirements for your chosen course — for example, Engineering requires Physics, Chemistry, and Maths at 12th grade; MBBS requires Physics, Chemistry, and Biology plus a valid NEET UG score. Gather all documents from your category checklist. Scan everything clearly in PDF or JPEG — blurry uploads place your application on hold.
Register Online and Pay the USD 50 Eligibility Fee
Create your account on fn.mahacet.org and complete the registration form. Pay the USD 50 Eligibility Fee through the CCAvenue gateway — international cards and foreign currencies are accepted. This payment is non-refundable and triggers the virtual verification of your uploaded documents by the CET Cell team.
Upload Documents and Await Eligibility Verification
Upload all required documents on the portal. The State CET Cell verifies your documents virtually. Once approved, your status changes to "Eligible" and you can view your Provisional Eligibility Letter on the portal — but cannot download it yet. You must complete Stage 2 payment to unlock the download.
Pay USD 1,150 Processing Fee and Enter the Merit List
Pay the USD 1,150 Processing Fee. This unlocks the download of your Provisional Eligibility Letter, adds your name to the merit list for seat allotment, and allows you to upload your visa, OCI card, or country ID as applicable. Fill in your college and course preferences in priority order. The CET Cell allocates seats by descending merit rank.
Pay College Fee, Apply for Student Visa, and Report to College
Pay the college tuition fee to your allocated college to receive the Provisional Admission Letter. Use this letter to apply for an Indian Student Visa at your nearest Indian Embassy or High Commission. After visa approval, travel to Maharashtra and report to the allocated college on the specified date. Physical document verification of originals happens only at the college — after you have paid the college fees and reported in person. No verification takes place at any facilitation centre or separate government office.
Ready to Begin Your Application?
Check your eligibility and begin your application at fn.mahacet.org — the official Government of Maharashtra CET Cell portal for international students.
Check Your Eligibility Now →