The Uttarakhand government has asked all madrassas in the state to get affiliation with the Uttarakhand Education Board by July 1 next year. Those that fail to do so could face closure.
This rule applies to both registered and unregistered madrassas. The government also said madrassas could apply for recognition as minority institutions only through the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority.
The order comes just a day after the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Cabinet cleared the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025 for introduction in the Assembly session starting August 19.
The Bill proposes to scrap the existing Madrassa Board and bring all minority-run schools under one framework. It also plans to extend the status of “minority educational institution” to other minority groups besides Muslims.
Also Read: U'khand: Illegal madrasa students to shift to board-run ones
If the Bill becomes law, minority institutions will be allowed to teach Gurmukhi and Pali from July 1 next year. It will also scrap the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019.
Right now, the Madrassa Board is authorised to design the syllabus, set rules, hold exams, and check if madrassas meet the required standards. It also has a Recognition Committee that approves madrasas.
The Dhami government’s decision to bring this Bill comes just six months after it began sealing madrassas that were not recognised by the Board or the education department.
This comes soon after the Cabinet cleared the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill. The new law sets tougher punishments for illegal conversions, bans online propaganda, and gives more protection to victims. It also makes it a crime to marry someone using a fake identity or to push conversions through social media, messaging apps, or other online platforms.
The Bill also broadens what counts as “inducement.” Now, things like gifts, money, jobs, free education, promises of marriage, hurting someone’s religious feelings, or praising another religion can all be treated as offences.
Follow us
