Mumbai University announces full exam fee refunds for students from 305 drought-hit talukas in Maharashtra

The Mumbai University has stressed that no eligible student`s refund should remain pending. File Pic

The Mumbai University on Friday directed its affiliated and autonomous colleges to immediately refund examination fees in full to eligible students from drought-affected talukas in Maharashtra.

The directive follows the state government's decision to declare 305 talukas drought-affected in view of the situation during the 2026 kharif season and provide examination fee relief to school and college students from these areas.

In a circular issued on Friday, October 16, the university instructed colleges to begin refunding fees already paid by eligible students from the same day. The move is aimed at ensuring that students receive the financial relief without delay.

Colleges told to ensure timely refunds

The university has asked principals to personally monitor the refund process and ensure that every eligible student receives the full amount paid towards examination fees.

Colleges must provide the refund to eligible students across all faculties, in accordance with the list of colleges in the designated drought-affected talukas.

They have also been directed to maintain records of refunds by faculty and individual student. Once the process is completed, colleges must submit a compliance report to the university's Board of Examinations and Evaluation.

The university has stressed that no eligible student's refund should remain pending and that all affiliated and autonomous colleges must implement the instructions promptly.

No examination fees for eligible students who have not paid

The university has also clarified that eligible students from drought-affected talukas who have not yet paid examination fees must not be charged for the relevant examinations.

While filling in examination forms, students or colleges must select the ‘Drought Affected Taluka' category, wherever the option is available on the examination portal.

Colleges must ensure that, once the category is correctly recorded, the student's examination fee is excluded from the calculation of mandatory fees.

Action under state government decision

The university said it had initiated the process in accordance with the Maharashtra government's official decision on examination fee relief for students from drought-affected areas.

All affiliated and autonomous colleges have been instructed to follow the guidelines strictly and ensure that eligible students receive the full benefit.

The move is intended to ease the financial burden on students and their families in areas affected by drought during the 2026 kharif season.