Uttar Pradesh planning to overhaul madarsa education. Here is how
At a review meeting of madarsas, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that comprehensive reforms were needed in their education system so that they do not remain merely centres of religious instruction.
There are currently a total of 13,329 recognised madrasas in the state, with a student strength of 12,35,400. Of these, 9,979 are of primary and upper primary level (class 1 to 8) and 3,350 of secondary and higher secondary level (class 9 to 12). There are 561 madrasas subsidised by the state government, in which a total of 2,31,806 students are registered. The total number of teaching and non-teaching staff working in these madarsas is 9,889 and 8,367 respectively. These workers are receiving salary and allowances from the first of January, 2016 as per the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.
Adityanath stressed that madarsa education should be made transparent, qualitative and employment oriented. It is the government's priority that every student should have a bright future, the CM said, and added that the government's objective is not only to bring madarasa education into the mainstream through reforms but also through innovation and inclusiveness, so that every section of the society can get equal opportunity and proper quality education.
Challenges have also arisen due to the Supreme Court declaring the degrees of the madarsa Board at the Kamil (graduate) and Fazil (postgraduate) levels as unconstitutional.
The state wants to change the standards and conditions of recognition of madarsas similar to those of the schools of the Education Department, in accordance with the New Education Policy 2020. The requisite qualifications required of teaching/non-teaching staff will also be changed in accordance with the curriculum. The selection process of teachers will also be overhauled to make it fair and transparent.
To review the current system of recruitment, a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Director, Minority Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, in which Special Secretaries of Basic Education, Secondary Education, Finance, Justice and Minority Welfare departments will be members. This committee will give its recommendation on the changes necessary for the smooth functioning of madrasas and ensure security of service to staff and a bright future for students.
The number of madarsa students appearing in board examinations has declined steadily in the last few years. In 2016, this number was 4,22,627, which has come down to just 88,082 in 2025. This, the government believes, points to the need for urgent reforms.
India