Mumbai: A state-level conference on early childhood care and education (ECCE), titled “Udaan Maharashtra 2026,” was held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai, bringing together policymakers, government officials and sector practitioners to discuss strengthening early childhood systems in the state.
The event was jointly organised by the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, and nonprofit organisation Rocket Learning. It was attended by Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, and Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, along with ICDS Commissioner Madhavi Sardeshmukh and other stakeholders.
In her keynote address, Tatkare highlighted the need to strengthen ECCE systems, while Aggarwal emphasised improving coordination and systemic approaches. He noted the importance of early identification and intervention, stating that focused efforts during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life can help reduce developmental gaps.
The conference included discussions on early childhood priorities, including a session titled “Foundations First: The Golden 1000 Days Mission,” which focused on integrated interventions during early development. Other sessions examined best practices across states and the use of technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve Anganwadi service delivery.
A key development at the event was the launch of the Maharashtra Divyang Protocol, aimed at supporting inclusive early childhood systems.
Representatives from Rocket Learning and ICDS highlighted ongoing collaboration to improve learning outcomes. The event concluded with a panel discussion on aligning corporate social responsibility initiatives with government ECCE priorities. Participants included district and field-level officials, Anganwadi workers and other stakeholders from across Maharashtra.
