Maharashtra to Offer ₹2,000 Monthend Support to Girls in Higher Studies Under 'Earn and Learn' Scheme

In an exercise of substantial policy making aimed at providing a fillip to female students in higher studies, the Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department plans to launch a new scheme to offer girl students ₹2,000 as month-end support—facilitating them to earn while learning.

The program, which remains in the planning stage, will supplement the department's recent move of suspending tuition for 842 higher education programs and issuing an additional ₹6,000 monthly subsistence allowance to cover students' lodging and food costs. Authorities admit that many young women still incur daily academic expenses such as transportation, books, and online materials.

To bridge this gap, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced on August 19 that there is a special 'Earn and Learn' scheme in the works. Colleges will offer on-campus jobs or part-time work plans to meritorious girl students, who will receive ₹2,000 a month directly deposited into their bank accounts.

Colleges will provide us with the list of beneficiaries, and the money will be deposited directly," Patil stated, adding that the scheme is not just intended to provide financial assistance but also skill development opportunities to students.

The state government will be admitting around five lakh students in the first phase, reaching an expense of ₹100 crore per month. For one year, the total implementation will run ₹1,000 crore.

Patil further promised that there are talks underway with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for mobilizing the required funds. Even though financial approvals may be delayed due to current budget limitations, the department is actively engaged in framing the policy and finalizing implementation plans.

The scheme will prove beneficial for such girls from poorer and rural backgrounds particularly, allowing them to pursue higher studies without any apprehension of economic insecurity.

If cleared, the move would be a revolutionary measure towards gender equality in the education system of Maharashtra.