# Maharashtra waives exam fees for 2.4 lakh drought-hit students 2026-10-21T08:28:48+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Maharashtra government has waived semester exam fees for eligible university students in the state's drought-affected areas. Higher education director Dr Shailendra Devlankar issued a circular directing all universities not to collect fees from eligible students and to refund those who have already paid. Over 2.4 lakh students have benefited so far. The relief covers eligible students across 305 drought-hit talukas under 26 universities, up from 265 talukas under a government resolution dated 25 September. Students must use the zero-challan option when submitting their exam forms. The last date to file exam forms is 30 October 2026. Higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil said the government is committed to ensuring that financial difficulties from drought do not disrupt students' education. Mumbai University has begun refunding about Rs 3.5 crore under the scheme. Students who face issues despite meeting eligibility criteria should contact their college exam department or university helpline. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The fee waiver, backdated to cover students who already paid, shifts the financial burden of drought from households to the state's higher education budget. Mumbai University has started refunding about Rs 3.5 crore, a sum that will grow as other universities process claims. The scheme's reach has widened from 265 talukas to 305, but the onus remains on each student to select the zero-challan option or seek a refund through their college before the 30 October 2026 deadline. Whether every eligible student learns of the process in time and whether universities complete refunds by the semester exams are the unresolved parts. ## Coverage - prabhatkhabar.com Leads with scheme details, official circular and minister quotes, no opposition or affected-student criticism This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Chandrakant Patil, Maharashtra government, Mumbai University, Shailendra Devlankar Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/maharashtra-waives-exam-fees-for-2-4-lakh-drought-hit-students/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/maharashtra-waives-exam-fees-for-2-4-lakh-drought-hit-students/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/