International students applying under the Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy category are exempted from MHT-CET 2026 for BE/B.Tech admission in Maharashtra, per Section 4(4) of the official MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure. Admission is granted under the 15% supernumerary quota on 12th-grade merit alone: pass 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics (compulsory) plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Computer Science, IT, or other listed subjects, with a minimum 45% aggregate. Applications go through fn.mahacet.org. JEE Main is optional — candidates who already hold a valid JEE Main 2026 score may use it; State CET Cell gives preference to JEE Main scorers over MHT-CET scorers under All India Candidature, but international candidates are not required to take either exam.
Quick Facts
| Course | BE / B.Tech (4-year programme) |
|---|---|
| Entrance test (MHT-CET) | Not required — international candidates are exempted |
| JEE Main 2026 | Optional (used only if candidate already holds a valid score) |
| Admission basis | 12th-grade merit under 15% supernumerary quota |
| Minimum qualification | 10+2 with Physics + Mathematics + one listed subject |
| Minimum aggregate | 45% in the qualifying subjects taken together |
| Apply via | fn.mahacet.org single-window portal |
| Application fee | USD 50 eligibility + USD 1150 processing |
| Tuition | USD 3,000–6,000 per year (set by individual college) |
Do international students need to take MHT-CET 2026?
No. Section 4(4) of the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure explicitly states: "Children of NRI / OCI / PIO, Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries, Foreign National — These types of Candidature Candidates are exempted from appearing for MHT-CET 2026." The State CET Cell maintains a separate 15% supernumerary merit list for international applicants, ranked by 12th-grade marks. International candidates therefore do not register for MHT-CET, do not pay the MHT-CET examination fee (Rs 1,300), and do not need an admit card.
What academic qualifications are required?
Per Appendix 5 Section (3) of the brochure, the candidate must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Technical Vocational, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, Electronics, or Entrepreneurship. The minimum aggregate is 45% in those subjects taken together. If the 10+2 is from a board outside India, an AIU equivalence certificate is required.
Is JEE Main 2026 needed?
JEE Main is not mandatory for international candidates. The brochure notes that for All India Candidature applicants the State CET Cell prefers JEE Main 2026 score over MHT-CET 2026 score; however, the NRI/OCI/PIO/CIWGC/FN candidature is exempted from both. Candidates who happen to already hold a valid JEE Main 2026 score may use it to apply through the regular All India merit list as an alternative path, but the standard route for the 15% international quota is 12th-grade merit only.
What documents are needed?
Valid passport, Class 12 marksheet, AIU equivalence certificate (if 12th from a non-Indian board), passport-size photograph, and signature scan. NRI applicants additionally upload the NRI certificate from an Indian Mission abroad. CIWGC applicants upload the parent's work permit, residence proof, and the parent's NRI certificate. Foreign nationals upload only the passport and academic documents. No entrance test score is required for the supernumerary quota route.
What is the application fee and tuition?
The fn.mahacet.org application fee for international candidates is USD 50 (eligibility) plus USD 1,150 (one-time processing), paid online via CCAvenue. This is the FN Portal fee and is separate from the MHT-CET examination fee (Rs 1,300 for general / Rs 1,000 for reserved Maharashtra categories), which international candidates do not pay because they do not appear for MHT-CET. Tuition is set by the individual engineering college and typically ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 per year. Tuition is paid directly to the college after seat allotment.
How to Apply for Engineering Admission as an International Student
- Confirm category: Use the Student Category Check tool at fn.mahacet.org/category-check/ to confirm your candidature (FN, NRI, OCI/PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy). These categories are exempted from MHT-CET 2026.
- Verify academic eligibility: Confirm you have passed 10+2 with Physics + Mathematics + one listed subject, with at least 45% aggregate.
- Get AIU certificate: If your 10+2 is from a board outside India, obtain the AIU equivalence certificate.
- Register on fn.mahacet.org: Create your candidate account and select Engineering under courses.
- Upload documents: Upload passport, 12th marksheet, AIU certificate (if applicable), photograph, signature, and category proof. No entrance test score required.
- Pay application fees: Pay USD 50 eligibility + USD 1,150 processing fee via CCAvenue.
- Submit preferences: Submit your college and branch preferences in order of priority for centralised allotment under the 15% supernumerary quota.
- Receive allotment: Receive your college allocation and official admission letter from the State CET Cell. Pay tuition directly to the allocated college and complete visa formalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students need to take MHT-CET 2026 for engineering admission in Maharashtra?
No. The MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure, Section 4(4), explicitly exempts Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC, and Merchant Navy candidature candidates from appearing for MHT-CET 2026. Admission for these categories is granted under the 15% supernumerary quota based on 12th-grade merit alone, processed through fn.mahacet.org.
Do international students need to take JEE Main 2026?
JEE Main is not mandatory for the 15% international supernumerary quota. The State CET Cell uses 12th-grade marks as the merit basis for this quota. Candidates who already hold a valid JEE Main 2026 score may optionally use it to apply through the All India Candidature route, but most international applicants follow the exam-free supernumerary route via fn.mahacet.org.
What is the minimum percentage required in 12th for engineering?
International candidates need a minimum aggregate of 45% in the qualifying subjects taken together — Physics and Mathematics plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Computer Science, IT, Informatics Practices, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, Electronics, or Entrepreneurship — at the 10+2 level, per Appendix 5 Section (3) of the MHT-CET 2026 brochure.
Can I apply if my 12th is from a non-Indian board?
Yes. You must obtain an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) confirming your qualification is equivalent to the Indian 10+2 standard. The AIU certificate is uploaded inside fn.mahacet.org along with your 12th marksheet during document scrutiny. A-Level grades, IB Diploma scores, WASSCE, and similar foreign qualifying-exam results are mapped onto a percentage scale by the State CET Cell.
How much does engineering tuition cost?
Tuition is set by the individual college and typically ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 per year for BE/B.Tech programmes. Premier autonomous and deemed universities may charge higher. Always confirm the exact tuition with your allocated college before remitting; tuition is paid directly to the college, not through fn.mahacet.org.
How are international students ranked without an entrance exam?
The State CET Cell calculates each applicant's percentage in the qualifying examination — typically Best of Five subjects at the 12th-grade level — and ranks all international applicants on a single merit list separate from the domestic Maharashtra State and All India Candidature lists. Choice filling is done online, and seats are allotted in descending order of merit.
Which countries can apply through fn.mahacet.org?
Candidates from any country can apply, provided their category — Foreign National, NRI, OCI/PIO, CIWGC, or Merchant Navy — is supported. Students from 37+ countries currently use the portal. Use the Student Category Check tool on fn.mahacet.org to confirm your specific eligibility based on citizenship and residence.