Uttarakhand Governor Approves Minority Education Bill; Madrasas to Join State Board

Dehradun, October 7, 2025 Uttarakhand has taken a landmark step in education reform as Governor Lt. General Gurmit Singh (Retd) approved the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025. With this move, all madrasas and other minority educational institutions in the state will now come under the Uttarakhand Board of School Education, marking a major shift toward a unified and modern education system. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the new law will dissolve the existing Madrasa Board. Once the Bill is implemented, every madrasa in the state will be required to obtain recognition from the newly formed Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority and affiliate with the state education board. This change aims to ensure consistent academic standards and equal learning opportunities across all schools in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the Governor’s approval, calling it a “historic decision” for the state’s education system. He said the reform is designed to provide “equal education and equal opportunities” for every child, regardless of class, community, or background. With this decision, Uttarakhand becomes the first state in India to dissolve its Madrasa Board and integrate minority schools into the mainstream education framework. The Chief Minister announced that starting from July 2026, all minority schools will follow the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This will bring madrasas in line with the same academic standards followed by other schools across India, ensuring that students from all communities receive quality education and are better prepared for higher studies and career opportunities. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Dhami expressed gratitude to Governor Gurmit Singh for approving the Bill. He wrote, “Heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Governor for granting approval to the Minority Education Bill-2025. With this approval, the path for the Bill to become law has been paved. Under this law, an authority will be established for the education of minority communities, which will handle the recognition of their educational institutions. After implementation, madrasas will need to obtain recognition from the Uttarakhand Education Board.” Dhami added that the new law would bring greater transparency, accountability, and quality to the state’s education system. He said the government is committed to ensuring that every student in Uttarakhand progresses under a fair and inclusive educational structure. The Chief Minister also emphasized that this step aligns with the government’s larger vision of modernization and inclusivity in education. By aligning minority schools with national education policies, the state hopes to bridge the gap between traditional and modern learning systems while respecting cultural and religious values. The approval of the Minority Education Bill, 2025, marks a significant moment for Uttarakhand’s educational landscape, setting an example for other states to follow. It represents a move toward unity in education and an effort to empower every student with the same level of knowledge, opportunity, and growth. Uttarakhand Brings Madrasas Under State Education Board Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd) has approved the Minority Education Bill, 2025, making the state the first in India to dissolve its Madrasa Board. All madrasas will now come under the Uttarakhand Board of School Education and follow the National Curriculum Framework and NEP 2020 from July 2026. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called it a historic step toward equal and modern education for all. He said the move will make the system more transparent, accountable, and inclusive, ensuring every child in the state gets equal learning opportunities.