Dehradun: In a landmark decision, the Uttarakhand government has approved the Minority Education Bill-2025, extending minority benefits to a wider range of communities, including Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis. Until now, only Muslim-run educational institutions in the state enjoyed minority status and the privileges that come with it.
The bill, cleared during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, will be tabled in the state assembly session that begins today. Once passed, the legislation is expected to bring long-awaited parity among minority-run institutions across Uttarakhand.
The move is being seen as a significant step to promote inclusivity and ensure equal rights for various religious communities in the education sector. Minority status grants institutions greater autonomy in administration, particularly in areas such as managing staff, admitting students, and protecting their cultural and religious ethos.
For Christian institutions which have historically contributed to education through schools, colleges, and social service centers this recognition is expected to provide fresh impetus for their work in both rural and urban areas. The bill will also empower smaller minority communities, such as Parsis and Jains, whose institutions have long sought similar benefits.
Alongside the introduction of the new bill, the cabinet has also taken a decisive step in restructuring religious education management. It has approved the withdrawal of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016 and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019. This withdrawal will come into effect from July 1, 2026, effectively phasing out the existing regulatory structure for madrasas in the state.
Officials indicated that the change is aimed at streamlining the education framework and ensuring uniformity across minority institutions. However, the decision is likely to spark debate, as it significantly alters the way Islamic educational bodies have functioned under state recognition.
The timing of the bill, introduced months ahead of the 2026 academic year, has also drawn political attention. Observers suggest that the government is attempting to balance community interests by broadening benefits while simultaneously reshaping existing religious education boards.
Social leaders from the Christian community welcomed the cabinet’s approval, calling it “a recognition of their long-standing service in the field of education.” Sikh and Jain groups also expressed optimism, hoping that the bill would strengthen their institutions’ ability to preserve both faith and learning.
The bill’s journey through the assembly will be closely watched, as it could reshape the legal and cultural landscape of education in Uttarakhand. If enacted, the Minority Education Bill-2025 will align the state more closely with national provisions that recognize the rights of all minority groups in running educational institutions of their choice.