Mumbai: Soon, admission forms in universities and affiliated colleges across the state are likely to have a separate field to identify children of single mothers. These students will be provided support through institutional mechanisms, including emotional counselling, career and skill-development guidance, and accommodation assistance, wherever required. The recommendations are part of a set of measures proposed by a state-level committee constituted by the higher and technical education department to frame a comprehensive policy to support single-mother families.The proposed policy, ‘Single Mothers’ Children Support Scheme (SMCSS) 2026’, aims to create a more structured support system for such students and ensure family circumstances do not force them to discontinue their education. The committee, headed by Hemlata Bagla, vice-chancellor, HSNC University, submitted its report to Shailendra Deolankar, director, higher education, on Monday.
Bagla told TOI: “There has never been a structured policy or system for this. Some colleges may have been providing support to such students in an informal manner, but there has been no uniform mechanism for identification, mapping or support. The objective now is to bring some structure to the process, to identify the students, inform them about govt schemes and other available support, and provide guidance wherever they need it,” she said. The report also mentions combining existing govt and institutional schemes, without creating automatic financial entitlements.
“The focus is not necessarily on providing financial assistance to every student. The requirements may differ from student to student. It could be career guidance, emotional support, help with accommodation or digital access, or assistance in continuing their studies. For instance, a student may miss an exam because the mother is unwell and may need institutional support in such circumstances,” Bagla said, adding the idea is facilitation.
The nine-member committee, including college principals, legal experts and social workers, has also recommended early intervention in cases where family circumstances could have an impact on the student’s academic participation or continuity. It has suggested sensitisation and guidance for higher education institutions, annual anonymous implementation reports and periodic reviews based on student feedback and state-level data.
The report was reviewed in the meeting on Monday. “The govt is working to make their higher education journey easier, safer and more empowering by taking into consideration their needs and circumstances,” higher education minister Chandrakant Patil said in a statement. “The issue of obtaining the consent of the concerned student before extending the benefits under the policy was also discussed.”
The proposed framework is based on needs-based facilitation and minimal documentation.
Single mothers have welcomed the move, saying it could help their children pursue education, especially in households where the mother is not financially independent or does not earn enough.
