- Maharashtra CET Cell launches dedicated portal for NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC & Foreign Nationals for 2025-26 admissions
- New NRI definition mandates candidates be born abroad with parents currently residing overseas
- Institutes to follow strict verification, with USD payments, $50 registration fee & $1,150 admission acceptance fee
Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell introduced a separate web portal for admission of foreign category students, such as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWGC), and Foreign Nationals (FNS), for the year 2025-26.
In light of an amendment to the definition of NRI under a new ordinance from June 25, authorities have made modifications to the eligibility and documentation process for the admissions under the NRI quota. According to the new definition, NRIs comprise persons falling within the category of 'not ordinarily resident' under the Income Tax Act and those who hold an NRI certificate from an Indian Mission outside the country. Their wards or children fall under this umbrella.
The recently-launched admission portal will streamline applications of international category students for admissions to technical, medical, higher education, and fine arts courses across Maharashtra.
All institutions recognised by the state have been instructed to strictly adhere to the new process. Institutions will be given special login credentials to view student applications, check eligibility, and upload merit-based admission lists.
Fee payment in USD, physical validation of original documents, and approval through the portal will be completed only after finalizing admission. Multiple offers can be received by the candidates, but they can take up only one seat. Non-payment within deadlines will cause the cancellation of the seat allocated.
The CET Cell will provide provisional eligibility certificates (PECs) to qualified candidates to facilitate visa issuance. However, final admission will be upon document verification by the relevant institute.
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Colleges are also mandated to help admitted students in making immigration formalities within 14 days of admission, and upload required medical reports, residential evidence, and accommodation information.
The CET Cell has opened a portal for 'Foreign National' candidate registration, and has given a link for registration. From this year, candidates who were not born within India and whose parents are settled in a foreign nation will be included under the NRI category. The definition of NRI has been amended accordingly. "According to the new rules, the candidate should be born abroad and his or her parents should be presently residing abroad. This is now a compulsory rule", stated Jayant Patil, OSD, CET Cell.
He added that in the earlier years, a few candidates were admitted under the 'Foreign National' quota by making their relatives abroad dependents. This provision has now been discontinued strictly.
For registration, the candidates will be charged a non-refundable fee of $50. After registering, the candidate will receive an offer for admission. For acceptance of the admission, an additional fee of $1,150 will be required.
"Previously, it was noticed that candidates who performed poorly in the CET exam would still get themselves admitted into premier institutes like COEP through the 'Foreign National' category. This practice will now be totally shut down", Patil added.
