Maharashtra’s higher education budget faces significant cuts in the 2026-27 financial year. The flagship Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Tuition Fee Scholarship Scheme has seen its funding slashed by 82%. This comes as the state allocates more funds to school education while reducing overall spending on higher and technical education.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the state budget on Friday. The school education department received an increased allocation of Rs 89,240 crore. However, the higher and technical education department’s budget dropped to Rs 15,604 crore, a decrease of nearly Rs 1,000 crore from the previous year.
Scholarship Fund Cuts Impact Poor Students
The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Tuition Fee Scholarship Scheme, a key financial aid program for disadvantaged students, has been drastically reduced. Its budget fell from Rs 1,821 crore to Rs 322 crore. This cut occurred despite strong demand for the program, with Rs 1,539 crore spent in 2024-25.
Funding for students in technical courses like engineering and pharmacy dropped from Rs 1,681 crore to Rs 322 crore. The Rs 140 crore allocated for law and teacher training programs was eliminated entirely. The scheme previously waived half or full tuition and examination fees for students with family incomes below Rs 8 lakh.
A new financial aid program for female students pursuing professional courses received Rs 464 crore. This scheme offers a 100% fee waiver for eligible girls from families earning less than Rs 8 lakh.
Other Higher Education Programs Face Reductions
The Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Hostel Subsistence Allowance Scheme also saw reduced funding. While its budget increased to Rs 266 crore, it is less than the Rs 465 crore spent in 2024-25. Scholarships for studying abroad were cut from Rs 40 crore to Rs 15 crore.
Spending on government colleges and higher education institutes decreased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 348 crore. Support for non-government institutes saw a marginal reduction in the budget. University assistance was trimmed from Rs 1,213 crore to Rs 1,193 crore.
New Initiatives and Contrasting Investments
Despite budget cuts in higher education, the state plans new educational hubs. Agreements with six international universities will lead to campuses near Navi Mumbai International Airport. A Maharashtra Public Health Institution is planned for Nagpur. Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Incubation Centers will be established in agricultural universities.
The budget also includes 36 Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Development Centres. Financial assistance for disabled beneficiaries increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per month.