Exam fees waived for students in drought-hit areas of Maharashtra; degrees to go to DigiLocker

Students in drought-hit areas of Maharashtra will not have to pay examination fees. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has issued directions to this effect. Fees already collected from students will have to be refunded immediately. Colleges that violate the rules will face action.

The Higher and Technical Education Department has taken the decision to give academic relief to students in these areas. Minister Patil has asked universities and colleges to follow the directions strictly. A warning of stern action has also been issued against any college against which a complaint of collecting examination fees from a student is received.

The decision emerged at a meeting held at the Sahyadri guest house in Mumbai. The meeting, chaired by Patil, was held online with the vice-chancellors of the state's public universities. Besides examination fees, issues such as preventing paper leaks, uniformity in results, implementation of the National Education Policy and student elections were also discussed.

On paper leaks, the meeting stressed that the examination system should be transparent and such incidents stopped. Action needed to bring the provisions of the Central government's law on preventing malpractice and paper leaks in examinations into force in Maharashtra was also discussed. According to available information, the law provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for those found guilty. The minister asked universities to remain vigilant in the examination system and take necessary steps to prevent irregularities.

Directions have been given to implement a uniform academic calendar in all public universities in the state from the academic year 2026-27. The aim is to bring uniformity to the academic functioning of universities. Emphasis was also laid on preparing the framework for a four-year honours degree programme under the National Education Policy (NEP) and implementing it effectively. The need for a common policy to bring uniformity to rules on re-examination and ATKT was also pointed out.

On student elections, the meeting discussed moving the process of holding elections in the state's universities forward after Diwali. Officials concerned were asked to hold extensive consultations on how and by what process elections are to be held and to submit a final report.

Minister Chandrakant Patil will visit various universities in the state between December 15 and January 15. During the visits, the academic and administrative systems, facilities available to students and the condition of hostels will be reviewed. On each visit, the minister will review a university's functioning for a day and stay overnight in the hostel with students. Accommodation, food, hygiene, drinking water and other basic facilities will be inspected first-hand.

There is relief on degrees as well. So that students do not have to make repeated trips to universities for degree certificates, directions have been given that certificates be made available on DigiLocker as soon as results are declared. This will help save students' time and expense.