Maharashtra Student Appears For Class 12 Board Exam With 10-Day-Old Baby In Nanded
Maharashtra Student Appears For Class 12 Board Exam With 10-Day-Old Baby In Nanded
A special ‘Matrusneh Kaksha’ was created at the exam centre to support the young mother as she continued her HSC exams.
In a remarkable display of determination, a 21-year-old student from Nanded appeared for her Maharashtra Class 12 board examination carrying her 10-day-old baby to the exam centre.
Shital Chandrakant Chitte, a student of Shri Basweshwar College, reached the centre on February 19 to write her Political Science paper. Just days earlier, on February 10, she had also appeared for her English examination — barely two days after giving birth — with her sister assisting her.
As the situation became known, authorities at People’s College in Nanded arranged a special mother-friendly facility to ensure she could write her paper without difficulty. A dedicated room titled ‘Matrusneh Kaksha’ was set up, and a cradle was arranged so her newborn could rest safely nearby while she completed her exam.
Shital, who has been married for two years, said she had no one at home to care for the baby during the day as her husband goes to work. With the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination crucial for her academic future, she chose not to miss it. Her family supported her decision to continue her education.
Nanded education officer Madhav Salgar appreciated the efforts of the college in creating a separate arrangement for the student, calling it a positive step towards inclusivity.
Officials confirmed that the HSC examinations, which began on February 10, have been progressing smoothly at the centre, with 861 candidates appearing. The special arrangement for Shital did not disrupt the exam process for other students.
Authorities indicated that similar support measures may be introduced at other centres if required, ensuring that students facing exceptional circumstances are not forced to discontinue their education.
Maharashtra Board’s Latur divisional president Sudhakar Telang stated that this was the first such initiative in the state, highlighting it as an example of how examination centres can adapt to students’ needs while maintaining academic standards.
