Uttarakhand – The Uttarakhand government has clarified that madrasas functioning as schools will have to obtain separate recognition if they want to avail benefits under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. While such institutions will now operate under the newly established Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority, registration with the authority alone will not make them eligible for RTE benefits.
According to the government, any madrasa seeking RTE recognition must apply separately through the state’s Invest Portal. Only institutions that meet all the prescribed norms under the RTE Act will be granted recognition and become eligible for the scheme.
Officials said registration under the Minority Education Authority only permits an institution to function as a minority educational institution. To receive RTE benefits, schools must comply with all infrastructure, academic and regulatory standards laid down under the Act.
Madrasas that receive RTE recognition will be required to reserve 25% of their seats for eligible children from economically weaker sections, similar to private schools. For example, if a school has 100 seats, 25 must be allocated under the RTE quota. The state government will bear the tuition fees of these students from Class 1 to Class 8.
The Education Department said recognised institutions will be listed on the Samagra Shiksha portal. Parents of eligible children will be able to apply for admission, and schools will be allotted through a lottery-based selection process.
Director of Elementary Education K.S. Rawat said madrasa schools will have to apply for RTE recognition through the Uttarakhand Invest Portal, just like private schools. RTE seat allocation will begin only after the institution receives formal approval.
