A major curriculum reform is underway in Uttarakhand, where the Waqf Board has directed 117 registered madrasas to adopt the Uttarakhand Board syllabus. As per Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams, instructions have been issued to all madrasa managers to implement the new curriculum with immediate effect. Traditional religious courses like Tahattaniya, Fauqaniya, Munshi, and Maulvi will no longer be taught in these institutions.
This move comes amid a statewide crackdown on unregistered madrasas. Following directives from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, 171 unrecognized madrasas have already been sealed. Now, the Waqf Board aims to transform registered madrasas into model institutions by introducing subjects such as Hindi, English, Science, Mathematics, Social Science, History, and Geography — the same as taught in state-run schools. Sanskrit will be offered as an optional subject.
The Board’s CEO, S.S. Usman, has issued formal instructions to all madrasa managers, administrators, mutawallis, and managing committees. They have been asked to coordinate with the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of their districts to secure recognition from the Uttarakhand Board. If any difficulties arise, the madrasa management is required to notify the Waqf Board in writing. Non-compliance with the directive may invite action.
The Waqf Board has also written to the Director of Secondary Education, urging them to instruct all district CEOs to extend necessary support for implementation. According to Shadab Shams, these reforms will transform madrasas into model institutions where students will receive formal education aligned with state standards.
