Maharashtra’s state education authorities have greenlit a sharp fee increase for engineering colleges under the NRI quota, with institutions now allowed to charge up to five times the standard tuition fees. The move impacts admissions for the 2025–26 academic year through the MHT CET centralized admission process, particularly for students applying under management or NRI categories.
For example, if a regular student pays ₹1.5 lakh per year, an NRI candidate might now be charged ₹7.5 lakh or more for the same seat in top private institutions.
The official rationale? Cross-subsidization, autonomy to institutions, and aligning with global education costs. But the decision is raising eyebrows among diaspora families who often seek Indian education for cultural, cost, or visa-related reasons.
For many NRIs, especially those in the Middle East or Southeast Asia, sending children to India for professional education is a cultural and financial preference. However, with a 5x fee hike, the traditional affordability advantage of Indian education begins to fade.
Key concerns for NRI families:
- Reduced accessibility for middle-income diaspora families
- Questionable ROI if Indian degrees become costlier than comparable options abroad
- Limited transparency in how “NRI seats” are allocated and priced
Additionally, these hikes may push more NRI students to consider destinations like Canada, the UAE, or Europe, where fee structures are more predictable and globally competitive.
If you’re an NRI parent considering engineering education in India, it’s crucial to:
- Compare tuition + living costs across countries
- Ask for clear breakdowns of NRI quota fees during admissions
- Stay updated on state-level education reforms that directly impact quotas and eligibility
Official updates: cetcell.mahacet.org
