CM Dhami: Minority Education Authority will be the first of its kind in the country
Dehradun.
The Pushkar Singh Dhami government has taken a major step towards reshaping the education system in Uttarakhand. On Tuesday, the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025 was introduced in the state assembly. The opposition staged a noisy protest, calling it “vote-bank politics.”
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami clarified that at present, only the Madrasa Education Board for Muslims exists in the state, which will be abolished from the 2026 academic session. In its place, the government will establish the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education (USAME). This will be the first such authority in India to include all minority communities — Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, and Muslims.
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Why this Bill?
Uttarakhand currently has 452 registered madrasas and more than 500 unrecognized madrasas. Recently, the government shut down 237 illegal madrasas.
The Minority Welfare Department also uncovered serious irregularities in scholarship distribution and mid-day meal schemes. The government decided to bring madrasas fully under its education system to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Key Provisions of the Bill
Formation of the Authority:
The Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education (USAME) will consist of one Chairperson and 11 members. The Chairperson must be an academician from a minority community with at least 15 years of teaching experience.
Recognition of Madrasas:
Institutions currently recognized by the Madrasa Education Board must reapply for recognition under the new authority starting from the 2026–27 academic session.
From July 1, 2026, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016 and the Uttarakhand Unrecognized Arabic & Persian Madrasa Recognition Regulations, 2019 will stand repealed.
Conditions for Recognition:
The institution must be established and run by a minority community.
It must be managed by a registered body (society, trust, or company).
Enrollment of non-minority students cannot exceed 15%.
Curriculum & Examinations:
The authority will design syllabi related to minority religions and languages.
Minority institutions will also be guided to align with the state education board, ensuring students receive both religious and mainstream education.
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Political Reactions
Congress: Accused the BJP of using the bill as a tool for vote-bank politics.
BJP: Hit back, saying Congress has always indulged in such politics, while the Dhami government is working towards a uniform and inclusive education policy.
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Highlights
👉 For the first time, all minority communities in Uttarakhand will have a common education authority.
👉 Madrasa education system will gradually be replaced by the mainstream state education system.
📌 A detailed discussion on the bill is scheduled for tomorrow in the Assembly.
