The Uttarakhand government on Monday issued a strict ultimatum to all madrassas in the state, whether registered or unregistered, directing them to secure affiliation with the Uttarakhand Education Board by July 1, 2026, or face closure.

Officials stated, “Only after madrassas apply to the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority will they be able to seek recognition as minority educational institutions,” highlighting the government’s strict approach to standardising minority education.

The move follows the Pushkar Singh Dhami cabinet’s decision to introduce the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, in the upcoming legislative assembly session starting August 19. The bill aims to extend minority educational institution benefits beyond Muslims, covering Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi communities.

Once enacted, the law will also allow recognized minority institutions to teach languages such as Gurmukhi and Pali, while ensuring all educational establishments comply with the standards set by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education.

According to government sources, “The authority will grant recognition only when certain conditions are fulfilled. If any condition is violated, or funds from fees, donations, grants, or other sources are misused, recognition can be terminated.”

The new authority is expected to monitor and promote educational excellence, ensuring that students from minority communities receive quality education and that student evaluations remain fair and transparent.