On Wednesday, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the School Management Committee (SMC) Guidelines 2026, aiming to foster a sustainable culture of community involvement in Indian schools. The guidelines mandate that SMC meetings occur at least once a month, requiring a minimum quorum of 50% for effective decision-making. SMCs will evolve from mere oversight roles to active governing bodies, focusing on holistic child development and raising academic standards. This initiative is part of the broader vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to enhance educational outcomes across nearly 15 lakh (1.5 million) schools in India. The guidelines emphasize the importance of community participation in school governance, aiming to strengthen the connection between parents, teachers, and local communities. Education Minister Pradhan highlighted the need for transparency and inclusivity in school operations, while other officials noted that these guidelines will help make schools more responsive and accountable to their communities. Overall, the SMC Guidelines are positioned as a vital step towards improving the quality of education in India.