Maharashtra is moving towards a formal support system for college students raised by single mothers, with a proposed Single Mothers’ Children Support Scheme, or SMCSS 2026.

The policy was drawn up by a nine-member committee led by Hemlata Bagla, Vice-Chancellor of HSNC University, and includes legal experts, social workers and college principals.

Under the plan, college admission forms would carry a dedicated field to identify students from single-mother households. That data would help universities direct counselling, career guidance, hostel support and digital access to those who need it.

A state survey had earlier identified about 14,000 students from single-mother households in colleges and universities across Maharashtra.

The proposal was discussed on June 13, and an online meeting with principals of about 1,500 colleges was scheduled to work out registration procedures.

Officials say the scheme aims to stop students from dropping out because of difficult family circumstances and to make the admission process more inclusive.