Campus Times |Lucknow

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning a major reform in the madrasa education system by affiliating madrasas with state universities. The move aims to provide students studying in madrasas with better academic recognition and wider employment opportunities. Under the proposed plan, examinations for Kamil and Fazil courses offered in madrasas will be conducted by state universities. To implement the change, the government intends to amend the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973, allowing madrasas to receive affiliation from nearby universities in a manner similar to degree colleges.

Boost to Recognition and Employment

Officials say the initiative is designed to ensure that madrasa students receive academic credentials equivalent to those of university students. Once affiliated with universities, the degrees awarded to madrasa students will gain wider recognition, potentially improving their access to professional and government job opportunities. At present, students studying in madrasas have limited avenues for employment outside a few specialized sectors. The state government believes that linking madrasas with universities will help bridge this gap and make higher education pathways more accessible.

A Strategic Step for Future Opportunities

The proposal has been prepared by the state’s Higher Education Department and is currently under review. After necessary scrutiny, it will be sent to the government for approval and subsequently placed before the state cabinet. Once cleared, the government will issue a formal order to implement the plan.

Kamil and Fazil Degree

In the madrasa education system, the Kamil degree is considered equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, while the Fazil degree is regarded as equivalent to a postgraduate qualification. The government’s proposal seeks to formally align these qualifications with the mainstream university framework.

Madrasa in Uttar Pradesh

According to official estimates, Uttar Pradesh has around 25,000 madrasas. Of these, approximately 16,500 are recognized by the madrasa education board, while only about 560 receive government grants. Among the most prominent institutions is Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the largest and most historic Islamic seminaries in India. Recently, the Allahabad High Court also issued an important ruling regarding madrasa recognition.

The court stated that running a madrasa without official recognition is not illegal; however, such institutions would not be eligible for government financial assistance. The proposed affiliation plan is expected to be a significant step toward integrating madrasa education with the broader higher education system in the state.