Not Just Madrasas, All Minority Run Educational Institutions To Now Get Minority Status In Uttarakhand

Dhami Govt To Table Bill Granting Minority Status Beyond Muslims In Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has moved to grant minority status to educational institutions run by Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, and Muslims, reported Deccan Chronicle.

The Dhami Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, and will introduce it during the upcoming monsoon session of the state assembly, which begins on 19 August in Gairsain.

This new legislation will repeal the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, effective 1 July, 2026.

Government officials, who spoke with Deccan Chronicle, said that the Act will pave the way for teaching Gurmukhi and Pali languages in recognised minority educational institutions.

To implement the law, the Cabinet has authorised forming the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority (SMEA), which will formally grant minority status. Educational institutions run by Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi communities must obtain recognition from SMEA. While the Act will avoid interfering with these institutions’ formation or operation, it will ensure that they maintain educational standards.

All recognised minority institutions must register under the Societies Act, Trusts Act, or Companies Act and hold land, bank accounts, and assets in their own name.

The government may revoke recognition if any such institution engages in financial mismanagement, lacks transparency, or undertakes activities that threaten religious or social harmony.

The SMEA will monitor the quality of education and enforce compliance with standards set by the Uttarakhand Education Board, including fair and transparent student assessments.

“This will be the first such law to be passed by any state in the country. It will create a transparent system for granting minority status to educational institutions of identified minority communities and ensure quality in education,” a senior IAS officer said.

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