As many as 2,40,365 students across 26 state universities in Maharashtra have benefited from the state government’s decision to waive semester examination fees for students from drought-affected areas.

The fee exemption was introduced after the number of drought-affected talukas in the state increased from 265 to 305. The Higher and Technical Education Department subsequently issued a government resolution directing universities not to collect examination fees from students belonging to these talukas.

To ensure the policy was implemented, Director of Higher Education Shailendra Devlankar instructed all universities to issue circulars informing students about the exemption. Students filling out semester examination forms were therefore able to use the zero-fee option.

The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on students in drought-affected regions, where households may face additional economic pressure due to difficult agricultural and livelihood conditions.

With more than 2.4 lakh students having availed themselves of the exemption across 26 universities, the measure provides financial relief to eligible students preparing for their semester examinations.