Yogi Adityanath Emphasizes Comprehensive Reforms in Madrasa Education, Stresses on Modernization and Transparency
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday strongly advocated for comprehensive reforms in madrasa education across Uttar Pradesh, underlining the need for adherence to strict infrastructural standards before any madrasa can be granted official recognition.
He emphasized that madrasas must evolve beyond providing only religious instruction and instead integrate modern education to equip students for broader opportunities.
Chairing a high-level meeting focused on evaluating the current state of madrasa education in the state, Adityanath outlined the government’s vision to mainstream madrasa education through innovation, inclusivity, and quality improvement.
“It is our goal to ensure that students studying in madrasas have full access to modern subjects and educational resources,” he said, stressing that madrasa students deserve the same prospects for growth and employment as students from other educational institutions.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to equitable and quality education for all sections of society, the Chief Minister pointed out that reforms must focus on making madrasa education transparent, accountable, quality-driven, and geared towards enhancing employment opportunities.
Addressing the new challenges posed by a recent Supreme Court verdict that declared the Kamil (graduate) and Fazil (postgraduate) degrees awarded by the Madrasa Board unconstitutional, Adityanath said there is an urgent need to realign madrasas with the standards and recognition norms of mainstream schools under the Education Department.
“There is a pressing need to revise the madrasa curriculum under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020,” he said.
He also stressed that the eligibility criteria for appointing teachers and non-teaching staff should be updated to match modern educational standards.
A transparent and merit-based recruitment system for madrasa teachers must replace the existing appointment process to ensure quality education, he added.
To drive these reforms, Adityanath proposed the formation of a high-powered committee led by the Director of Minority Welfare.
The committee will also include special secretaries from the departments of Basic Education, Secondary Education, Finance, Law, and Minority Welfare.
The panel’s mandate will be to recommend critical measures needed to improve the functioning of madrasas, secure teachers’ rights, and create a better educational environment for students.
Earlier during the meeting, officials from the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department presented a comprehensive report on the current status, challenges, and plans for madrasa education in Uttar Pradesh.
According to the data shared, the state currently has 13,329 officially recognized madrasas, catering to approximately 12,35,400 students.
Of these, 9,979 institutions operate at the primary and upper primary levels (classes 1 to 8), while 3,350 offer education at the secondary and higher secondary levels (classes 9 to 12). Notably, 561 madrasas receive government grants, supporting a student population of 2,31,806.
These grant-in-aid madrasas employ 9,889 teachers and 8,367 non-teaching staff, all of whom have been receiving salaries and allowances as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission since January 1, 2016.
Officials also briefed the Chief Minister on technological strides made in madrasa management. The launch of the Madrasa Portal in August 2017 brought significant reforms by digitizing operations.
A total of 19,123 madrasas are registered on the portal, out of which 13,329 have been verified and locked in the system. The portal has introduced online examinations, digital certificate issuance, verification mechanisms, and integration with the U-DISE (Unified District Information System for Education) code to enhance transparency and accountability.
However, Adityanath expressed concern over the sharp decline in the number of students appearing for madrasa board examinations.
Data presented showed a worrying trend — from 4,22,627 candidates in 2016, the number dropped drastically to just 88,082 by 2025. Calling this decline “serious and alarming,” the Chief Minister stressed the urgent need for corrective action to revitalize madrasa education and attract students back into the formal academic framework.
In conclusion, the Chief Minister reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their educational background, is empowered with the tools and knowledge necessary to secure a bright and promising future.
