The Maharashtra government has directed universities not to collect semester examination fees from eligible students in 305 drought-affected talukas, and more than 2.4 lakh students — 2,40,365 by the reported count — across 26 state universities have already submitted their examination forms without paying fees under the drought-relief measure. The Higher and Technical Education Department has also initiated refunds for students who had already paid, and the number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed five lakh by October 30.

Under the arrangement, eligible students select the 'zero challan' option while filling out their examination forms and complete the process without any payment. The state's Relief and Rehabilitation Department issued a government resolution on September 25 increasing the number of drought-affected talukas from 265 to 305, following which the Higher and Technical Education Department directed universities to waive the fees. Universities were instructed to issue circulars confirming the exemption, and implementation is being monitored at the directorate, university and examination-department levels.

"No student's education should be disrupted because of the drought. The government stands firmly behind students by waiving their examination fees. The department took an immediate decision to ensure that students from drought-affected families do not face a financial burden. The process is still under way, and not a single student will be left out," Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said.

Director of Higher Education Dr Shailendra Deolankar said the department had taken steps to implement the waiver across universities rather than limiting the measure to issuing a government order, with refunds arranged for students who had already paid and the zero-challan option for those yet to submit forms. The University of Mumbai has initiated the process of refunding approximately Rs 3.5 crore (yaani three and a half crore rupees) collected as examination fees from eligible students. Students who face difficulties or are asked to pay despite being eligible have been advised to contact the helpline provided by their respective universities.