Nagpur University has formed a task force to help students from drought-hit talukas continue their education, with colleges instructed to coordinate fee concessions and other relief measures for eligible applicants. The move follows directions from Maharashtra’s higher and technical education department after the state declared drought-like conditions across 265 talukas in 34 districts.
The task force will be headed by Anup Palsokar, director of the Board of Examinations and Evaluation. Vijay Tangade, director of the Student Development Department, and Sopanadev Pise, director of the National Service Scheme, are members. Motiram Tadas, deputy registrar in the Examinations and Evaluation department, will act as coordinator and contact officer.
Nagpur University registrar Vijay Khandal has appealed to colleges located in affected talukas to cooperate with the university-level mechanism. Colleges have been asked to identify eligible students and ensure that they receive the concessions prescribed by the state government.
Under a September 30, 2026 letter issued by the higher and technical education department, principals of colleges in drought-hit talukas have been instructed not to collect examination fees from students who qualify for the concession. The students’ applications must instead be forwarded to the university after being authenticated using the certificate prescribed under the relevant government resolution.
The administrative process places colleges at the centre of relief delivery. Students will need to establish eligibility through the prescribed certification process, while college authorities must authenticate and forward their applications to the university. The task force is expected to coordinate these steps and address difficulties that may prevent eligible students from accessing the benefits.
The state’s drought-like declaration covers 265 talukas across 34 districts. The release cited deficient rainfall and attributed the conditions to the impact of El Nino. The higher and technical education department has said that it is implementing various measures to provide relief to students from affected areas.
The university’s intervention highlights how a climate-related rural crisis can affect access to higher education, including through immediate examination costs. The next step is for colleges in the affected talukas to cooperate with the task force, authenticate eligible applications and forward them to the university under the prescribed procedure.
