The Uttarakhand government has approved a major change in the functioning of minority educational institutions in the state. The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has cleared the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Recognition Rules, 2026. Under this decision, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board will cease to exist from July 1, 2026. A newly formed body, the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education (USAME), will take charge of all minority educational institutions, including madrasas.

The government has made it clear that the closure of the Madrasa Board does not mean the registered madrasas will shut down. More than 450 registered madrasas across the state will continue to operate. However, they must follow a new process to remain recognised. Every madrasa will first need to obtain affiliation from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. After that, it must secure recognition from the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education under the new rules.

The new system aims to bring all minority educational institutions into the mainstream education framework. Schools providing education to students from minority communities will be graded into primary, secondary, or higher secondary schools. They will have to follow the government-prescribed academic standards. The authorities have also made the national curriculum compulsory for these institutions.

The government has also laid down rules for religious education. Institutions that teach religious subjects along with regular academics can continue to do so. However, the Minority Education Authority will regulate the content and framework of such religious education. This step will ensure that both academic and religious teaching follow the approved standards.

The Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Recognition Rules, 2026, under Section 19 of the Uttarakhand Minority Education Act, 2025. According to Social Welfare and Minority Welfare Minister Khajan Das, "the move is aimed at strengthening educational opportunities for minority communities while ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality standards."

The new rules recognise six minority communities in Uttarakhand. These include Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis. Educational institutions run by these communities must apply for recognition through a designated online government portal. The recognition granted under the new system will remain valid for three academic years.

Institutions must apply for renewal at least three months before the recognition period ends. During the recognition process, the authorities will examine several important factors. They will verify the minority status of the institution. They will also check land ownership records, financial stability, staff qualifications, and the institution's commitment to maintaining social harmony. Officials may also conduct physical inspections whenever required to confirm that the institution meets all the prescribed conditions.

The government has also included strict provisions for monitoring recognised institutions. If any institution violates the prescribed rules, the Minority Education Authority can revoke its recognition. However, the authority will follow the due legal process before taking such action. This provision aims to ensure fairness while maintaining educational standards across all recognised institutions.

The transition from the existing Madrasa Board to the new authority will take place in two stages. First, the state's 452 registered madrasas must obtain formal affiliation from the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. In the second stage, they must receive recognition from the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education under the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Recognition Rules, 2026. Only after completing both steps will the institutions continue to operate under the new regulatory system.

The Uttarakhand government says the new framework will create a more transparent and accountable system for minority education. It also aims to improve the quality of education while bringing all recognised minority educational institutions under a common regulatory structure. From July 1, 2026, the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education will officially replace the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board and oversee the functioning of all recognised minority educational institutions in the state.