Overview
- The Education Ministry issued nationwide SMC Guidelines 2026 on Wednesday, requiring every school up to Class 12 to form a committee within one month of the academic year.
- Each panel must be at least 75% parents or guardians with at least 50% women, and include proportionate representation for disadvantaged groups and children with special needs.
- Committees are empowered to execute school civil works up to ₹30 lakh and to manage funds through a joint account to tighten budget oversight.
- Parents will elect the chair and vice chair, the principal serves as member secretary, two sub-committees cover academics and buildings, sizes vary by enrollment, and member terms are two years.
- States and Union Territories will adapt the framework and begin constituting new bodies, a shift expected to speed up local fixes and improve services like midday meals through regular checks.