Uttarakhand has taken a historic step toward integrating minority educational institutions into the mainstream education system with the approval of the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025 by Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) on Monday. The landmark legislation aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality education across all minority schools in the state.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the Governor’s decision, stating that the Bill will create an education authority to recognize and oversee minority institutions, including madrasas. “With the approval of the Honorable Governor, the path for this bill to become law has now been paved. Under this law, an authority will be established for the education system of minority communities, which will handle the task of granting recognition to minority educational institutions. Additionally, after the implementation of this bill, minority educational institutions such as madrasas will be required to obtain recognition from the Uttarakhand Education Board,” Dhami wrote on X.
Once ratified by the state assembly, Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to dismantle its madrasa board and formally integrate all madrasas under the state education framework. The move is part of the government’s broader effort to bring minority institutions in line with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the New Education Policy (NEP 2020).
CM Dhami announced that starting from the 2026 academic session, all minority schools will adopt NCF and NEP guidelines. “The government aims to ensure that every child in the state, regardless of their class or community, progresses with equal education and equal opportunities,” he said.
The new law will establish a dedicated authority to supervise minority education, granting formal recognition to schools that comply with state regulations. Authorities believe this will enhance the quality of education, provide uniform standards, and open new opportunities for minority students.
However, the decision has sparked criticism from some Muslim groups, who claim the law interferes in religious affairs. Muslim leaders have expressed concerns that the reform targets minority communities, though the state government maintains that the initiative is aimed purely at improving educational standards.
