Maharashtra: FRA Warns Private Colleges Against Charging Fees Beyond Approved Limit
Pune, 11th August 2025: Private colleges offering professional courses in Maharashtra will not be allowed to charge fees beyond the approved amount under any pretext or in the form of deposits, the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) has directed. The authority has warned that strict action will be taken if complaints from students or parents about excess charges are received.
The FRA has repeatedly clarified the rules regarding deposits and fee collection for professional courses. With admissions currently underway for engineering, management, hotel management, law, and other professional courses, FRA Secretary Dr. Arjun Chikhale recently issued a circular reminding institutions of the regulations.
The maximum limit for deposits has been fixed, as decided in the FRA meeting on August 28, 2024, and incorporated into the regulations for the academic year 2025–26, published in October 2024. The rule states that a deposit may be collected only once during the course and cannot be charged under different names. Institutions are also required to refund this deposit to the student upon completion of the course.
As per Section 14(5) of the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Fees) Act, 2015, no institution can collect more than the prescribed annual fee for an academic year. The FRA has clarified that violations of Section 15 or related rules, if reported, will invite action under Section 20 of the Act.
Hostel and Mess Facilities to Remain Optional
The circular further states that hostel and mess facilities offered by institutions must remain optional. Students cannot be compelled to avail themselves of these services, the FRA has emphasised.
