– Ronita Torcato

The Maharashtra higher and technical education department has initiated the process of refunding examination fees paid by students from drought-affected regions. The fee waiver has been communicated to universities across 34 districts and extended to Class X (SSC) and Class XII (HSC) board students.

Eligible students can select the ‘Zero Challan’ option while submitting examination applications. So far, 240,365 students have applied through this facility without paying fees.

The deadline for submitting examination forms through the zero-fee/zero-challan facility is October 30, 2026.

The department has urged students facing difficulties to contact the Examination and Evaluation Board or the student development department of their respective public state universities.

Higher and technical education minister Chandrakantdada Patil said the decision was taken to prevent financial difficulties from disrupting students’ education.

“The government decided not to charge examination fees so that students do not face obstacles in pursuing their education because of financial difficulties. Necessary mechanisms have been put in place across the Directorate, universities and examination departments to ensure that eligible students benefit from the concession,” he said.

University-wise liaison officers

University of Mumbai

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Pooja Raudale — 9322020589

Public Relations Officer: Leeladhar Bansod — 9833969977

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Rajendra Talwar — 9890642431

Student Development: Dr. Savita Kulkarni — 7720036774; Ajay Thube — 7588169134

Shivaji University, Kolhapur

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Ajitsingh N. Jadhav — 9545595999

Student Development: Alok Jatratkar — 8698928080

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Andhare — 9975055155

Student Development: Dr. Kalwane — 7020634502

Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Chudhar Singh Sable — 9923409491

Student Development: Dr. Chikhlikar — 8390666777

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Babasaheb Dole — 8237006572

Student Development: Dr. Kailash Ambhore — 9423705081

Poet Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Yogesh Patil — 9423185073

Student Development: Mahale — 9823192831

Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Nitin Koli — 9850042357

Student Development: Dr. Rajiv Borkar — 8855083964

Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Anup Palsokar — 8378974240

Student Development: Dr. Vijay Tangde — 9545112555

Gondwana University, Gadchiroli

Examination and Evaluation Board: Dr. Naveen Mangule — 9511910575

Student Development: Dr. Priya Gedam — 9049474119

SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai

Examination and Evaluation Board: Sanjay Nerkar — 9922444467

Student Development: Dr. Ankush Chavan — 9689672509

Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU)

Controller of Examinations: Dr. Bhatuprasad Patil — 7798925485

Student Development: Mahendra Bansode — 9766059076

Also read: Over 40,000 students screened under ‘Bal Drishti’ initiative in Mumbai