Mumbai, March 17 -- The Maharashtra government has approved 38 new degree colleges for the 2026-27 academic year, including 27 women's colleges affiliated with Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women's University. Most of the newly approved colleges are located in semi-urban and rural areas to improve access to higher education. The approvals were granted after institutions submitted letters of intent under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016. These colleges will operate initially on a permanent unaided basis and must complete infrastructure and regulatory requirements before receiving final permission to start admissions. They will offer undergraduate courses in arts, commerce, and science....