India, Aug. 17 -- Following rising complaints on excess fees charged by colleges, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell on Saturday started an online mechanism for students seeking admission to professional courses in the academic year 2025-26.

The decision comes after allegations that certain private institutes are flouting Fees Regulatory Authority (FRA) rules, often under misleading names such as "maintenance fee", or "lab maintenance charges".

According to a CET Cell official, students and parents report being pressured into paying additional amounts in order to secure or maintain admission. In some cases, students eligible for fee reimbursement under government schemes are charged the full amount, with no refunds provided...