By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Lucknow: Thousands of students enrolled in Kamil (graduate-level) and Fazil (postgraduate-level) courses across Uttar Pradesh’s madarsas are now scrambling for new academic pathways.
This follows the Supreme Court’s ruling that the UP Madarsa Board does not have the authority to confer these degrees — a power reserved exclusively for universities under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act.
The verdict, delivered on November 5 last year, has directly impacted nearly 32,000 students, rendering their degrees invalid in mainstream academia and employment.
The ruling has sparked uncertainty, frustration, and financial anxiety among students pursuing higher Islamic studies.
Traditional Madrasa Academic Structure
Madrasa education in UP follows a tiered system:
- Munshi / Maulvi — Equivalent to Class 10 & Class 12
- Kamil — Treated as an undergraduate equivalent in Islamic theology & Arabic
- Fazil — Considered a postgraduate equivalent
While these degrees are well recognised within religious institutions, students seeking careers in other fields generally shift to colleges to pursue BA/MA degrees. Now, those who continued into Kamil and Fazil programmes fear their years of study may not count.
Students’ Future at Stake
Saqlain Raza, Fazil first-year student from Varanasi, shared his dilemma: My career plans have changed completely. I will now apply for a BA and later an MA. But I may lose the years I invested in my present studies.”
Similarly, Ghulam Masih from Siddharthnagar is preparing to start afresh in university: I hope a solution comes soon. There’s a legal plea seeking affiliation with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University — that could save our time.”
Others are facing more severe disruptions.
Mohammad Saad Nizami (Mau district) said he hasn’t studied for over a year-and-a-half after completing his February 2024 exams: If the government does not intervene soon, I may be forced to drop out entirely.”
Govt and Court Intervention Underway
UP Minister of State for Minority Welfare Danish Azad Ansari has assured that the state is actively working on alternatives. He also clarified that teachers appointed based on Kamil/Fazil qualifications will not be affected.
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Association Madaris-e-Arabia Uttar Pradesh has approached the Supreme Court. They have demanded that students be affiliated with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, enabling examinations and degree regularisation.
On May 30, the Supreme Court sought detailed responses from:
- The Government of Uttar Pradesh
- The UGC
- The UP Madarsa Education Board
Debate on Academic Standards & Affordability
The issue has also triggered a political and educational debate.
Kunwar Basit Ali, President of the BJP Minority Morcha, said madrasa syllabi do not match university standards. Mid-session affiliation is unacceptable. Students should be freshly admitted into universities.”
In contrast, Diwan Sahab Zaman Khan, General Secretary of the madrasa teachers’ association, warned that students from poor families cannot afford private university fees: If forced to take fresh admission, lakhs of academic dreams will collapse.”
A senior official from the language university declined to comment, citing the matter’s sub judice status.
As legal proceedings continue, thousands of young scholars wait anxiously — their aspirations suspended between theology and mainstream education.
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