Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University in Nanded, Maharashtra, has announced a significant examination fee relief measure for students from drought affected areas. The university has decided to waive examination fees for eligible students appearing for the Winter 2026 examinations.
The Winter 2026 examinations are scheduled to be conducted during November and December 2026. The decision is aimed at providing financial relief to students and families affected by the difficult conditions prevailing in drought affected areas of Maharashtra.
According to the university and reports based on its official communication, eligible regular students from drought affected talukas can benefit from the examination fee waiver. The facility applies to students pursuing undergraduate, diploma, postgraduate, professional and non professional courses.
The benefit is available to eligible students studying in colleges affiliated with Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University. Students studying at the university campuses and sub centres are also covered under the measure.
However, the fee waiver is not automatic for every student from a drought affected area. Students must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the university and submit the required documents for verification.
One of the main requirements is proof of residence in a taluka that has been officially identified as drought affected. Students must provide valid residence documentation to establish their eligibility under the scheme.
Students are also required to submit a certificate confirming that their family's annual income does not exceed Rs 8 lakh. The income requirement has been included as an additional eligibility condition for receiving the examination fee waiver.
In addition, students must submit the prescribed undertaking. The undertaking requires students to confirm that they have not already received reimbursement of examination fees through another government educational concession.
The university has stated that the documents submitted by students will be scrutinised and verified at the college level. Only students who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions after verification will receive the examination fee exemption.
The decision follows an online review meeting held on October 1, 2026, chaired by Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister. The meeting reviewed the drought situation in the state and discussed measures to support students affected by the situation.
Reports stated that 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas have been declared drought affected. In view of the situation, instructions were issued to provide examination fee relief to eligible students from the affected areas.
The measure is particularly significant for students whose families may be facing financial difficulties because of the impact of drought conditions. Waiving examination fees can reduce one of the immediate educational expenses faced by students preparing for their semester examinations.
The university's Board of Examinations and Evaluation has advised eligible students to approach their respective colleges to complete the process. Students should keep the required residence proof, income certificate and prescribed undertaking ready before submitting their request.
Students should also verify the exact documentation requirements and submission procedure with their respective colleges, as the eligibility documents will be checked at the college level before the fee waiver is approved.
The decision does not mean that every student appearing for the Winter 2026 examinations is automatically exempt from paying examination fees. The exemption is specifically intended for eligible students from drought affected talukas who satisfy the income and documentation requirements.
The university's announcement provides financial support to eligible students while maintaining a verification process to ensure that the benefit reaches those covered by the prescribed conditions.
Students who believe they qualify should contact their respective affiliated colleges, university campus or sub centre at the earliest and follow the instructions issued for the Winter 2026 examination fee waiver.
The examination fee exemption is part of wider measures being taken in Maharashtra to provide educational support to students affected by drought conditions. The initiative is intended to help reduce financial barriers and enable eligible students to continue their academic progression and appear for their scheduled examinations.
