Short answer
The Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme (TFWS) gives extra (supernumerary) seats, up to 5% of a course's sanctioned intake, on which the tuition fee is waived; you still pay all other fees. Only Maharashtra State Candidature candidates whose parents' annual income from all sources is less than ₹8 lakh are eligible, and the State CET Cell allots these seats on merit from a separate TFWS merit list.
Based on the State CET Cell's Information Brochure for 2026–27 admissions (dated 02.07.2026). The 2027–28 brochure hasn't been published yet — rules can change, so check it when it is.
Who this applies to
Maharashtra State Candidature candidates seeking first-year B.E./B.Tech. admission
The rule, explained
Where the seats exist: TFWS is mandatory for approved technical institutions offering undergraduate courses, but the seats are available only in courses where at least 50% of the approved intake was filled in the last academic year. The brochure lists them for first-year Engineering & Technology (and some other courses).
What is waived: only the tuition fee, as approved by the Fee Regulating Authority for unaided colleges and by the Government for government and aided colleges. All other fees are paid by the student.
Merit list: the CET Cell invites applications and prepares a separate TFWS merit list using the same criteria as for Maharashtra State candidates. If no eligible students are available, TFWS seats are not given to any other category.
Conditions: students admitted under TFWS can't change institution or course at any stage. You must submit an income certificate issued by the appropriate competent authority of Maharashtra showing parents' annual income below ₹8 lakh.
What the official document says
Seats up to maximum 5 percent of sanctioned intake per course shall be available. These supernumerary seats shall be available only to such Course(s) in an Institution, where a minimum of 50% of “Approved Intake” are filled up in last Academic year.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 17 (opens the official site)
The Waiver is limited to the tuition fee as approved by the Fee Regulation Authority for unaided Institutions and by the Government for the Government and Government Aided Institutions. All other fees except tuition fees shall be paid by the beneficiary.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 17 (opens the official site)
Eligible Maharashtra State Candidates having their parent’s annual income less than Rs. 8 Lakh (Rupees Eight Lakh only) from all sources shall only be eligible for these seats.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 17 (opens the official site)
Income certificate stating that his/her parent’s annual income is less than Rs. 8 Lakh from all sources issued by the appropriate competent authority of the Maharashtra State.
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra · Information Brochure, Academic Year 2026–27, for admissions to Full Time Professional UG and PG Technical Courses (B.E./B.Tech., MBA/MMS and others) dated 02.07.2026, PDF page 100 (opens the official site)