The Madrasa Board Act in Uttarakhand will soon be abolished following Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh (Retd.) giving his assent to the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025. The new law aims to bring all minority educational institutions under a single, uniform regulatory framework, replacing the existing separate board system for madrasas. According to an official statement, this move paves the way for comprehensive reforms in the management, curriculum, and administration of minority institutions in the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hailed the Governor’s approval, saying it marks a “decisive step towards transparency and equality in education.”

I am writing about this because the decision represents a significant policy shift in Uttarakhand’s approach to minority education. It highlights how states are beginning to rethink education governance to promote uniform standards and accountability across all types of schools. The move also raises important questions about balancing reform with religious and cultural education. Understanding this decision is essential for anyone following education policy, as it reflects India’s broader effort to create inclusive, standardised, and modern educational frameworks without compromising diversity.

What the Minority Education Bill 2025 aims to do

The Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025, replaces the existing Madrasa Board Act and brings all minority-run educational institutions—religious or otherwise—under one legal structure. The idea behind the Bill is to create a single regulatory system that ensures quality education, proper infrastructure, and government monitoring, irrespective of the type of institution.

Officials said that under the new law:

• All minority institutions will have to register under a common education board recognised by the state.
• These schools will follow basic academic and administrative guidelines similar to other recognised institutions.
• Institutions can continue teaching religious subjects, but must also include core subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies as part of the curriculum.
• Teachers and staff will be required to meet qualification standards set by the Education Department.
• The government will monitor compliance through regular inspections and performance reviews.

This marks a transition from a community-specific board to a broader, standardised system that aims to improve the quality of education in minority schools.

What changes for madrasas

With the new Bill in effect, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board—which currently governs Islamic religious schools—will be dissolved. All existing madrasas will now fall under the general minority education framework.

This means:

• Madrasas will continue to function but must adhere to state academic standards.
• Students studying in madrasas will gain access to mainstream subjects, helping them compete in higher education and employment sectors.
• Institutions that meet new criteria will continue receiving government support and recognition.
• A new Minority Education Directorate may be set up to oversee coordination and smooth implementation of reforms.

The government has clarified that the aim is not to interfere in religious education, but to ensure that students in all schools—whether religious or secular—receive access to modern and employable education.

Chief Minister’s remarks on reform

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the new law reflects his government’s commitment to bringing every section of society under a uniform educational structure. “This reform ensures that no student is left behind due to lack of exposure to mainstream subjects or academic standards. With the Governor’s approval, the path for this bill to become law has been paved,” he said in a statement.

Dhami has been vocal about introducing accountability and transparency in minority and private institutions. The new legislation is seen as part of the state’s broader push toward educational standardisation and modernisation under the “Viksit Uttarakhand” vision.

Why this reform matters

For years, the Madrasa Board functioned separately, with limited monitoring and integration into the state education system. While it played a role in preserving religious education, it also created a divide between students in madrasas and those in mainstream schools. The new Bill seeks to bridge this gap.

Key objectives of the reform include:

• Ensuring uniform educational quality across all schools.
• Promoting employment-oriented learning among students from minority backgrounds.
• Preventing misuse of government funds through stronger monitoring.
• Encouraging integration of traditional learning with modern skills.
• Bringing transparency to the recognition and regulation of minority institutions.

The decision is also expected to help students from madrasas transition more easily into higher education and competitive exams by providing them with a balanced syllabus.