The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has released important dates for students appearing in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), also known as Class 12, examinations in February-March 2026. This announcement is crucial for all junior colleges across Maharashtra to ensure their students can successfully apply for the upcoming board exams.
Colleges must submit the examination forms for their Class 12 students without any extra late fee between November 6, 2024 , and November 20, 2024 . This is the primary period for submitting forms. After this, a late fee will apply. Forms can still be submitted with a late fee from November 21, 2024 , to November 28, 2024 . Students and colleges should aim to complete this process within the first deadline to avoid additional costs.
Key Dates for Submitting HSC Exam Forms 2026
Here is a summary of the important dates for colleges to submit the Class 12 examination forms to the Maharashtra Board:
| Activity | Dates | 
| Form submission without late fee | November 6, 2024 – November 20, 2024 | 
| Form submission with late fee | November 21, 2024 – November 28, 2024 | 
The Maharashtra Board has clearly stated that no further extensions will be given after these announced deadlines. This means colleges and students must follow this schedule strictly. Missing these dates could cause problems for students wishing to appear for their Class 12 board exams.
Who Needs to Apply?
This application process applies to several types of Class 12 students throughout Maharashtra. It covers:
- Regular Students: Students currently enrolled in junior colleges for their first attempt at Class 12 exams.
 - Repeat Students: Those reappearing for HSC exams to improve scores or clear subjects.
 - Private Students: Candidates appearing for Class 12 exams without formal college enrollment.
 - ITI (Transfer of Credit) Students: Students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) transferring credits for vocational subjects towards their HSC qualification.
 - HSC Vocational Students: Students specifically enrolled in Higher Secondary Certificate vocational courses.
 
It is important for all these students to make sure their respective colleges or institutions complete their application process accurately and on time.
How Colleges Must Submit Forms and Pay Fees
The entire application process for the HSC exams is handled by the colleges. Here are the steps colleges need to follow carefully:
- Online Form Submission: Colleges must submit the examination forms for all eligible students online through the official MSBSHSE website's dedicated portal.
 - Fee Payment Method: Examination fees must be paid electronically using RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer). These payments must be sent to the specific virtual account system managed by ICICI Bank for the board. Colleges must verify that the payment is successful and properly credited. Any payment issues could delay or reject applications.
 - Uploading Student Details: While filling out online forms, colleges must upload accurate and complete details for each student. This includes using their unique UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) and PEN (Permanent Education Number) IDs. These identification numbers are critical for proper student tracking and for correctly generating official enrollment certificates. Incorrect IDs can lead to significant problems.
 - Verifying Application Status: After submitting forms and making payments, colleges must continuously monitor the status of each application on the online portal. They must confirm if each application shows the correct status: 'Draft,' 'Sent to Board,' 'Paid,' or 'Not Paid.' Regular checks help catch errors before it's too late.
 
Students are strongly advised to stay in close contact with their college administration. They should ask for updates and confirm that their examination forms have been submitted and processed correctly. This proactive approach helps avoid last-minute stress and ensures a smooth application experience.
Why These Deadlines Matter
The Class 12 board examinations are a crucial step for students in India. The scores from these exams play a significant role in determining eligibility for various higher education courses and university admissions. Whether a student aims for engineering, medical studies, arts, commerce, or other fields, a successful Class 12 result is fundamental.
Therefore, submitting examination forms accurately and within the specified deadlines is the first and most important step towards appearing for these high-stakes exams. Missing these deadlines can lead to late fees or, worse, prevent a student from appearing for the exams, severely impacting their academic and career future. Students should focus on their studies, while colleges ensure the administrative part is handled diligently.