Uttarakhand Launches Minority Education Authority, Replaces Madrasa Board

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates the new authority, says the initiative will ensure modern, inclusive, and quality education for all minority students in line with NEP 2020.

Report: Amaanullah Usmani

Dehradun, July 1, 2026: In a major reform aimed at strengthening the state’s education system, the Uttarakhand Government has officially launched the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority from July 1, 2026, replacing the existing Madrasa Board with a new institutional framework.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the new authority at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s residence, where he also distributed recognition certificates to various minority educational institutions. On the occasion, he presented NCERT textbooks to students of minority schools.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the government’s objective is to provide every child with quality, modern, and value-based education, enabling them to build a strong future. He emphasized that Uttarakhand has a rich legacy of knowledge, education, and spirituality, and the government aspires to make the state a national model in the field of education.

Dhami clarified that the decision to establish the Minority Education Authority is not intended to affect the identity, traditions, or cultural heritage of any community. Instead, it seeks to ensure equal educational opportunities for children from all notified minority communities across the state.

Under the new framework, students will continue to remain connected to their cultural roots while also gaining access to modern subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Computer Education, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Skill Development. He stressed that in today’s rapidly evolving digital era, no child in Uttarakhand should be deprived of modern education.

The Chief Minister further stated that the new authority will ensure equal representation and opportunities for minority communities that previously lacked adequate participation in the education system. He added that the initiative is fully aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and complements the state’s ongoing efforts to promote digital education, smart classrooms, vocational training, startups, and future-ready skills.

According to the government, the Minority Education Authority will function not only as a regulatory body for granting institutional recognition but also as a mechanism to improve educational quality, strengthen teacher training, ensure transparency, and effectively implement the National Education Policy.

Dhami appealed to educational institutions, religious leaders, academicians, and members of civil society to extend their full support to the new system. Expressing confidence in the initiative, he said the authority would positively impact the lives of thousands of students and help establish Uttarakhand as a leading state in inclusive and quality education.