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Dehradun: The Madrasa education system in Uttarakhand is currently going through its biggest crisis. The state government has taken a tough decision to completely abolish the Madarsa Board from July 1, 2026. Meanwhile, a revelation has come to light which has surprised everyone. According to the report, out of 54 madrassas recognized by Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Council, there are 30 madrassas where there is not a single student present at Munshi (High School) and Aalim (Inter) level. The condition of the remaining 24 madrasas is so poor that they are not able to meet even the basic standards of recognition of the board.

Madrassas emptied due to lack of students

Abduslam, manager of Landaura-based Madrasa Aisha Siddiqa, says that due to the fear of abolition of the Madrasa Board from July 1, admissions at Munshi and Alim level have been almost zero this year. The statistics are truly scary; Out of 54 madrassas listed in the academic session 2025-26, only 24 have some students registered, while 30 madrassas have become completely ‘studentless’. The demand for Madrasa education in higher classes is now almost on the verge of extinction.

Institutions failed on accreditation standards

According to Dr. Surjit Singh Gandhi, Chairman of Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority, there are a total of 452 madrassas in the state, out of which 54 were recognized for classes 9 to 12. The rules say that there should be at least 30 students for Munshi and Maulvi level, but in the present situation only 9 madrassas are left which are meeting these standards. In this session, only 83 regular students are studying at the academic level in the entire state. In such a situation, the sword is hanging on the recognition of these institutions, due to which the future of the students is in big trouble.

Madrasa Board dissolved, now new system will be made

The state government argues that it is essential to connect madrassa students with “mainstream” education. For this purpose, ‘Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Council’ will be dissolved from July 1, 2026. In its place, ‘Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority’ is now being formed. Now the recognition, syllabus and monitoring of all minority educational institutions will be directly under the framework of Uttarakhand Education Board. The government believes that with this the certificates of Madrasa students will be fully valid for government jobs and higher education.

The challenge of religious education and affiliation

However, the challenge is not over yet. Till now not a single madrassa has been able to get affiliation from ‘Uttarakhand Board of School Education’ (UBSE). Whereas the new education session 2026-27 is going to start from April 1. Dr. Gandhi says that he is holding meetings with madrassa managers so that the process of affiliation can be started soon. A special committee has also been formed for religious education which will decide how religious education should be imparted in madrassas in harmony with modern educational standards.

Now the question is whether these 30 student-less madrassas will be able to save themselves under the new rules or will they gradually close down and become a part of history? There is hope that this initiative of the government will improve the level of education, but the ground reality seems quite challenging at the moment.