The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has warned colleges against charging students more than the fees approved by the Fee Regulating Authority, or FRA, during the 2026-27 admission process. Institutions found demanding unauthorised fees or cash payments could face legal action, while admissions made in violation of the rules may also be cancelled, according to a circular reported by Loksatta.
The warning comes as the centralised admission process for professional courses in Maharashtra reaches its final stage. Admissions against vacant seats and management quota seats are currently under way, a period during which the CET Cell said it had received complaints about excessive and irregular fee demands by colleges.
CET Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai issued the instructions after a complaint was submitted by Kalpesh Yadav, joint secretary of the Yuva Sena. The complaint alleged that some colleges were charging students unreasonable amounts beyond the fees approved by the FRA.
Under the instructions, colleges must collect only the exact fee approved by the Fee Regulating Authority for the relevant institution and course. Charging any additional amount beyond the approved fee, including demands for payment in cash, has been described as illegal.
The institutions have also been directed to publicly display the official FRA fee approval order. The order must be placed on the college notice board and published on the institution’s website so that students and parents can check the authorised amount before completing admission-related payments.
The CET Cell said colleges found collecting fees outside the approved framework would face strict legal action. It also warned that admissions made through unauthorised fee collection could be cancelled. The warning applies as institutions continue processing admissions for professional courses, including seats available through vacant-seat and management-quota procedures.
The instructions place the responsibility on colleges to make the approved fee structure accessible to applicants and on students and parents to verify the amount being demanded. The CET Cell and the Fee Regulating Authority have been identified as the forums where complaints relating to fee collection can be submitted.
The latest directive follows concerns raised during the current admission cycle and comes before the completion of remaining professional-course admissions for the 2026-27 academic year. Colleges are expected to follow the approved FRA fee orders and publish them on their notice boards and websites.
