Maharashtra waives exam fees for drought-hit students, warns colleges of strict action

The Maharashtra government has directed universities and colleges to waive examination fees for students from droughtaffected talukas and refund any fees already collected warning of strict action against institutions that fail to complyHigher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil issued the directives during an online meeting in Mumbai with vicechancellors of public universities in the state on Wednesday The decision aims to ease the financial burden on students affected by drought HigherEducation StudentWelfare Maharashtra CMOMaharashtra Dev_Fadnavis mieknathshinde SunetraA_Pawar BJP4Maharashtramdash Chandrakant Patil ChDadaPatil October 14 2026Patil instructed all colleges under the Higher and Technical Education Department including engineering and arts colleges to accept examination forms without charging fees from eligible students Institutions that have already collected examination fees must return the amount to the students immediatelyMaharashtra government directs colleges to refund examination feesThe minister said the waiver was intended to provide educational relief to students amid drought conditions in the stateHe directed vicechancellors and officials concerned to ensure that universities and colleges strictly follow the instructionsThe meeting held under Patils chairmanship also reviewed university examination procedures measures to prevent question paper leaks uniformity in results academic calendars implementation of the National Education Policy NEP and student electionsStrict measures planned to prevent question paper leaksPatil stressed the need for transparency in university examinations and effective measures to prevent malpractice including question paper leaksThe meeting discussed steps to implement relevant provisions of the Central Governments law aimed at curbing examination malpractice and paper leaks in MaharashtraUnder the provisions discussed those found guilty of examinationrelated offences could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore Patil directed universities to strengthen safeguards and take effective steps to prevent irregularitiesDegree certificates to be available on DigiLockerThe minister also directed universities to make students degree certificates available on DigiLocker immediately after the declaration of results starting from the next academic yearThe move is expected to benefit students applying for higher education abroad and those requiring degree certificates for admissions and other official purposes Digital access would also reduce the need for students to repeatedly visit universities to obtain their documentsUniform academic calendar from 202627Patil directed all public universities in Maharashtra to implement a uniform academic calendar from the 202627 academic year to bring greater consistency to academic activities across institutionsHe also called for the effective implementation of the NEP including the appropriate structuring of fouryear honours degree programmesThe minister further stressed the need for a uniform policy on reexaminations and the Allowed To Keep Terms ATKT system across universities to provide students with greater clarity on examination and resultrelated rulesPatil to visit universities and stay in hostelsTo understand students concerns and assess facilities on university campuses Patil will visit universities across Maharashtra between December 15 2026 and January 15 2027During the visits he will review academic and administrative functioning and stay overnight in student hostels to inspect accommodation food sanitation drinking water and other basic amenities He will also interact directly with students to understand their difficulties expectations and suggestionsThe visits are intended to help the government assess students problems firsthand and take appropriate corrective measuresReport sought on university student electionsThe meeting also discussed moving forward with the process of conducting student elections in universities after DiwaliPatil directed the officials concerned to examine possible methods of conducting the elections and submit a comprehensive final reportHe said the state government was committed to safeguarding students academic interests improving transparency in examinations expanding digital facilities implementing the NEP effectively and ensuring greater uniformity in university administrationPrincipal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education Director Dr Pramod Naik senior department officials and vicechancellors of public universities attended the meeting online