Mumbai: Very 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 for supporting 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 that family circumstances do not force them to discontinue their education. Because the mother is unwell and may need institutional support in such circumstances, for instance, a student may miss an examination.
Bagla told TOI , “There has never been a structured policy or system for this. 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 objective is to ensure that family circumstances do not affect the student’s progression or lead to them dropping out,” Bagla said, adding that the idea is facilitation. “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,” it added.
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 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. Single mothers have welcomed the state’s move, saying it could help their children pursue higher education, particularly in households where the mother is not financially independent or does not earn enough to meet the cost of education.
The committee, headed by Hemlata Bagla, vice-chancellor, HSNC University, submitted its report to Shailendra Deolankar, director, higher education, on Monday. The report was reviewed in the meeting on Monday.