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State plans to route overseas universities' admissions through the ARA portal
Maharashtra officials proposed routing admissions to overseas universities through the ARA portal to provide verified information and streamline applications. The portal would feature data on the world's top 500 universities per QS rankings and allow direct applications, with rollout potentially starting as early as January and free access for Maharashtra students. The move aims to curb agent malpractices and build a real-time database of students studying abroad for emergency coordination.
Why It Matters
The plan addresses student fraud by agents and seeks to provide reliable information and a centralized application pathway, while enabling crisis response through better data on students abroad.
Timeline
1 Event
Inter-departmental discussion on ARA portal rollout
April 24, 2026
Officials from the Higher and Technical Education Department discussed a proposal to create a dedicated tab on the ARA portal with verified information on the world's top 500 universities as ranked by QS, including course options, admission procedures, eligibility criteria, and required documents. The portal would enable students to submit applications directly through the platform. The plan aims to provide a single, reliable source of authentic information and to maintain a database of students pursuing education abroad. It notes that around 70,000 Maharashtra students apply abroad each year and highlights issues with agents providing misleading information. The officials were asked to prepare a detailed roadmap, and the facility is expected to roll out as early as January, potentially at no cost to Maharashtra students.