Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has handed over formal recognition certificates to 26 madrasas in Uttarakhand under the state's updated educational regulatory framework. With the inclusion of these institutions, the total number of madrasas officially recognized under the government's new policy has reached 33. The recognition ceremony, organized as an official state government event, opened with the recital of the complete national song Vande Mataram. Attending madrasa operators and representatives stood in respect and joined in singing the national song alongside government officials.
Emphasis on Science, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that integrating modern subjects such as science, mathematics, technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the madrasa curriculum is an absolute necessity in today's era. He remarked that without access to modern academic knowledge, students enrolled in madrasas risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive world. The Chief Minister stated that the state's primary objective is to empower all children with quality education to secure their future development.
Responding to political criticism, Chief Minister Dhami pointed out that opposition parties frequently attempt to create misconceptions regarding his administration's initiatives by portraying them as anti-minority. He clarified that the government operates strictly according to the law, providing full encouragement to institutions that comply with legal frameworks while taking strict action only against illegal activities and unapproved setups.
Establishment of Minority Education Authority and Mandatory NCERT Syllabus
The institutional restructuring follows a major legislative step taken on 1 July, when the Uttarakhand government formally dissolved the legacy Madrasa Education Board. In its place, the administration constituted the Minority Education Authority, making registration mandatory for all madrasas functioning across the state. Under the guidance of this newly formed authority, a revamped curriculum was formulated, bringing NCERT guidelines directly into madrasa classrooms.
Under these revised academic norms, instructions in core subjects including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and English have been made compulsory alongside traditional studies. State officials maintain that this balanced curriculum will strengthen foundational learning for madrasa students, bringing their academic standards on par with conventional schools.
September 30 Registration Deadline and Differing Perspectives
The state government has designated 30 September as the final deadline for all madrasas in Uttarakhand to complete their registration under the new system. Statistical records show that under the previous Madrasa Education Board, a total of 452 madrasas were registered across the state. However, over the past two months following the implementation of the new regulatory regime, only 33 madrasas have successfully registered so far.
The transition has evoked contrasting reactions among madrasa administrators across Uttarakhand. A section of operators continues to voice opposition to the mandatory registration and revised syllabus, arguing that madrasas are fundamentally intended to provide religious education. They expressed concerns that government-mandated curriculum changes might gradually dilute the traditional character of these institutions.
Conversely, madrasa operators who received recognition certificates today welcomed the government's direction and commended Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's vision. They emphasized that providing modern education to young students is a positive step that ensures better career prospects and enables access to state welfare schemes. They further noted that opposition to these measures stems largely from individual reservations rather than student welfare concerns.
Uttarakhand Waqf Board Revises Official Nikahnama Format
Alongside these educational reforms, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has implemented a key administrative change regarding marital documentation in the state. The board has introduced a redesigned official Nikahnama (marriage contract) format. Under the newly issued document structure, the dedicated columns previously reserved for second, third, and fourth marriages have been permanently removed across Uttarakhand.
