Nagpur: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has announced an increase in examination fees for students appearing in Std X and Std XII exams, citing financial strain and rising operational costs.
Starting this academic year, the examination fee for Std X students has been raised by ₹100 to ₹420, while Std XII students will now pay ₹470 — an increase of ₹170. This marks the third exam fee hike by the board in recent years.
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24 Oct 2025
In Nagpur district alone, around 60,000 to 70,000 students appear for the Std X exams annually, while nearly 40,000 to 45,000 students take the Std XII exams. The sudden hike has caused concern among parents, many of whom are already dealing with rising household expenses.
The Board has justified the increase by attributing it to the growing costs of conducting examinations, including printing question papers, answer sheets, remunerating supervisors and examination staff, and covering other administrative expenses.
However, parents and citizens have criticized the move, calling it “ill-timed” amid widespread inflation. “Everything is becoming expensive. Even during this economic crisis, the Board could have avoided raising fees or provided some financial relief,” said a concerned parent.
The fee hike has sparked debate across the education sector, with calls for the government to review the decision in light of the current economic conditions.
