MHT CET Counselling Fees 2026 is something every candidate must understand clearly before starting the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). There are numerous different types of fees that you will incur while going through the registration process, as well as during the time when you accept your seat and then afterwards in regards to the actual college fees. Each of these also have their own rules, deadlines, and conditions for refunds.
For a complete understanding of all of the fees involved during the MHT CET CAP process in 2026, this guide explains everything to you so that there are no unexpected surprises.
Types of Fees in MHT CET Counselling 2026
MHT CET Counselling involves three broad categories of fees:
| Fee Type | When It Is Paid | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| CAP Application / Registration Fee | At the time of CAP registration | No |
| Seat Acceptance Fee | After seat is allotted and accepted | No (processing fee) |
| College Tuition and Other Fees | After reporting to allotted institution | Partially, subject to refund rules |
CAP Registration Fee (Application Fee)
Not all candidates pay a registration fee for MHT CET CAP 2026. It depends on the entrance exam you are using for admission.
| Candidate Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra State candidates who appeared in MHT CET 2026 | No fee |
| All India candidates (JEE Main / NEET score only) — General / OMS / J&K Migrant | Rs. 1,000 |
| All India candidates (JEE Main / NEET score only) — Reserved category of Maharashtra | Rs. 800 |
| NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign National candidates | Rs. 5,000 |
- Payment mode: Online only Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
- Refund: The application fee is strictly non-refundable under all circumstances.
Seat Acceptance Fee
Once a seat is allotted to you in any CAP round, you must pay a seat acceptance fee to confirm your seat. This is separate from the college fee.
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Seat Acceptance Fee | Rs. 1,000 |
| Applicable To | All admitted candidates |
| Refundable? | No, treated as non-refundable processing fee |
This fee can be paid at the Admission Reporting Centre (ARC) or through online mode during self-scrutiny of uploaded documents. If you do not pay this fee within the stipulated time after allotment, your seat is automatically cancelled and you may lose eligibility for subsequent rounds.
College Fee Structure for B.Tech / Engineering 2026
The tuition and other fees for engineering colleges in Maharashtra are regulated based on the type of institution.
Government and Government-Aided Engineering Colleges
Fees for government and aided colleges are fixed and approved by the Government of Maharashtra. These are significantly lower than private college fees and are revised periodically by the state government.
| Fee Component | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Fixed by Government of Maharashtra |
| Other Fees | Fixed by Government (examination, development, library, etc.) |
| Total | Notified on cetcell.mahacet.org before counselling |
Unaided Private Engineering Colleges
Fees for unaided private engineering colleges are approved by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) constituted under the Maharashtra Act. The adhoc or interim fee approved by FRA applies until the final fee is approved for that academic year.
| Fee Component | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Approved by FRA: varies by institution |
| Other Fees | Examination, development, library, etc. institution specific |
| Total (Approximate Range) | Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 2,00,000+ per year depending on institution and city |
The final approved FRA fee for 2026-27 will be published on the CET Cell portal before counselling begins. Always refer to the official fee notification and not the institution’s own brochure for verified amounts.
Autonomous vs Non-Autonomous College Fees
Autonomous colleges generally charge higher fees than non-autonomous colleges due to the additional flexibility and resources they offer. The FRA approves fees for both categories separately.
Fee Structure for Special Categories
J&K / Ladakh Migrant Candidates and NEUT Scheme Candidates
Candidates admitted under the J&K/Ladakh Migrant quota or under the Central Government’s NEUT (North Eastern States and UTs) scheme pay fees equivalent to those applicable for Non-Autonomous Government Institutions.
PM’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)
Students from J&K/Ladakh admitted under PMSSS pay the lower of:
- The FRA-prescribed fee for that institution, or
- The AICTE maximum fee ceiling amount
NRI Candidates
NRI candidates are subject to the fees as declared by the respective institution within the NRI quota. Institutions cannot charge capitation fees. No institution is permitted to collect any fee over and above the approved structure.
Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme (TFWS) Fees
Under the TFWS, candidates from financially weaker families get a partial fee benefit.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| What Is Waived | Tuition fee only (as approved by FRA or Government) |
| What Is Not Waived | All other fees, examination, development, library, hostel, etc. |
| Eligibility Condition | Annual family income below Rs. 8 lakh from all sources |
| Who Can Avail | Maharashtra State Candidature candidates only |
| Certificate Required | Income certificate from appropriate authority of Maharashtra |
TFWS does not mean zero fees. Only the tuition component is waived. All remaining charges must be paid by the candidate.
Fee Concessions for Reserved Category Candidates
Candidates belonging to SC, ST, VJ/DT-NT, OBC, SBC, SEBC, and EWS categories from Maharashtra are entitled to fee concessions as notified by the Central and State Governments.
| Category | Concession Basis |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Full tuition fee waiver in government colleges (subject to income norms) |
| OBC / NT / VJ / SBC / SEBC / EWS | As per scheme notified by respective government departments |
| PwD Candidates | As per government circulars issued from time to time |
The exact amount of concession varies by category and is governed by respective department circulars. Candidates must produce the required certificates at the time of admission to claim these concessions.
Refund Policy for MHT CET Counselling 2026
This is one of the most important sections to understand before paying any fees.
| Situation | Refund |
|---|---|
| Cancellation on or before the last date for full refund (as specified by CET Cell) | Full fee refunded minus Rs. 1,000 processing charge |
| Cancellation after the full refund last date | Only Security Deposit and Caution Money refunded; no other fee |
| Non-reporting after seat acceptance | No refund |
| Seat cancelled due to document discrepancy | No refund from CET Cell; governed by institution’s rules |
| Application fee not used / seat not allotted | Application fee is non-refundable regardless |
| Seat acceptance fee | Non-refundable under all circumstances |
Key rule: The link for online cancellation is deactivated after the cut-off date. After that, candidates must apply for cancellation directly to the institution.
Return of documents: If cancellation is done on or before the full refund last date, the institution must return all original documents within two days of receiving the signed cancellation application.
Institution rule: No institution can withhold original certificates to compel continued enrollment or force payment of future year fees. This is protected under the Maharashtra Act.
Fee Payment Mode in MHT CET CAP 2026
All fee payments during MHT CET Counselling 2026 are made online only:
| Fee | Mode |
|---|---|
| CAP Registration / Application Fee | Online Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking |
| Seat Acceptance Fee | Online (through ARC or self-scrutiny portal) or Demand Draft at ARC |
| College Fee | As per institution online or as specified at the time of reporting |
Partial payments are not accepted for any fee. Every fee must be paid in full in one transaction.
MHT CET Counselling Fees 2026: Quick Reference Table
| Fee Head | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|
| CAP Registration (MHT CET candidates) | Nil | N/A |
| CAP Registration (JEE Main / NEET – General) | Rs. 1,000 | No |
| CAP Registration (JEE Main / NEET – Reserved Maharashtra) | Rs. 800 | No |
| CAP Registration (NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign) | Rs. 5,000 | No |
| Seat Acceptance Fee (all candidates) | Rs. 1,000 | No |
| Govt. College Tuition Fee (approx.) | As notified by Govt. | Partial (as per refund policy) |
| Private College Tuition Fee (approx.) | As per FRA approval | Partial (as per refund policy) |
| TFWS Seats (Tuition fee) | Waived | N/A |
| Processing charge on cancellation | Rs. 1,000 deducted | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do MHT CET candidates need to pay a registration fee for CAP?
A. Candidates who appeared in MHT CET 2026 do not need to pay any CAP registration fee.
Q. Is the seat acceptance fee refundable?
A. The Rs. 1,000 seat acceptance fee is non-refundable under all circumstances. It is treated as a processing fee.
Q. What happens if I cancel my admission do I get a refund?
A. If you cancel on or before the full refund last date specified by the CET Cell, you get a full refund minus Rs. 1,000 processing charge. After that date, only Security Deposit and Caution Money are refunded.
Q. Who approves the fee for private engineering colleges in Maharashtra?
A. The Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) approves tuition and other fees for unaided private professional educational institutions. The approved fee is published on the CET Cell portal before counselling.
Q. Does TFWS mean zero fees for the candidate?
A. TFWS only waives the tuition fee component. All other fees, examination, library, development, hostel, etc. must be paid by the candidate.
Q. Can a college charge more than the approved FRA fee?
A. Charging beyond the FRA-approved fee structure is a violation of the Maharashtra Act. Capitation fees are strictly prohibited.
Q. Are fee concessions available for SC/ST candidates in private colleges?
A. State and Central governments make separate announcements regarding fee waivers available to SC/ST and other reserved categories. The possibility and amount of a fee waiver for a private institution will depend on what the current program says.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.