The Uttarakhand government has decided to discontinue government grants for 456 madrasas in the state following the dissolution of the Madrasa Board and the implementation of a new minority education system.
The decision was approved by the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Friday. The government said that after the formation of the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority, the old grant system linked to the Madrasa Board was no longer required.
Madrasa Board Abolished After New Education Law
The move comes after the implementation of the Uttarakhand Minority Education Act and new recognition rules. Since July, the newly constituted State Minority Education Authority has taken over the recognition, regulation and monitoring of minority educational institutions, replacing the Madrasa Board.
The Cabinet approved a proposal to abolish the budget provision for grants to madrasas from the 2027-28 financial year.
Banshidhar Tiwari, Additional Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, said, “The Madrasa Board no longer exists. Therefore, the grant system and the budget provision linked to it had also become irrelevant. The Cabinet has approved the proposal to discontinue the grant budget from the financial year 2027-28.”
Madrasas to Receive Benefits Under U-DISE Scheme
Government officials said that while direct state grants will end, recognised madrasas affiliated with the new Minority Education Authority will be eligible to receive benefits available under the Centre’s U-DISE scheme.
Special Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, Dr. Prag Madhukar Dhakate, said, “The grants earlier provided through the Madrasa Board have been stopped. Madrasas affiliated with the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority will now receive facilities available under the Government of India’s U-DISE scheme through the authority.”
The government said the new framework is aimed at improving the quality and administration of minority education in the state.
Concerns Over Impact on Poor Students
The decision has raised concerns among sections of the community, who fear that the withdrawal of government grants could affect the functioning of hundreds of madrasas and the education of students from economically weaker families.
With the Minority Education Authority now responsible for recognition, regulation and oversight, all administrative functions previously handled by the Madrasa Board will be managed by the new body.
Critics argue that ending financial assistance may put additional pressure on madrasa managements and could affect students who rely on these institutions for their education, while the government maintains that the new system will ensure better governance and continued access to central educational schemes.
