Uttarakhand Expands Minority Education Benefits

The Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill 2025 seeks to extend minority status benefits to Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi-run institutions, beyond the current Muslim-exclusive status. The bill includes provisions for studying Gurumukhi and Pali languages and requires recognition from a newly established authority to ensure quality education.

The Uttarakhand government has introduced a new education bill aimed at extending minority status benefits to institutions run by various communities. The Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill 2025, tabled in the state assembly, will grant minority education benefits to Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi communities.

Currently, the minority educational institution status is reserved for the Muslim community. This bill, once implemented, will replace the existing Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, effective July 1, 2026. The new law will allow for the teaching of Gurumukhi and Pali languages in recognized institutions.

An authority will be constituted under the bill, with a mandate to ensure educational excellence. Institutions must obtain recognition from this body, which will monitor the use of funds. Institutions found misusing funds or failing to meet conditions will face recognition withdrawal. Education standards set by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education will be enforced, ensuring fair and transparent student evaluation.

(With inputs from agencies.)