Uttarakhand Madrasas observe Sunday holiday instead of Friday

Sealed doors of rooms in a mosque in Dhakrani village in Uttarakhand’s vikas nagar area on March 28, 2025. Photo credit: RV Moorthy

The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) issued a circular for timings and weekly holidays for schools across the state, including recognized madrasas, to observe Sunday as a weekly holiday instead of Friday.

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Officials from Uttarakhand’s minority welfare department said the decision came after religious institutions were integrated into the state’s education system and brought under the rules applicable to other recognized schools.

“The decision was taken after discussions with madrasa authorities. As registered madrasas have been reclassified as schools, the institution has to follow the guidelines issued by the education ministry and the authority,” said an official from the ministry.

Change of the board of directors

Earlier, most madrasas in the state celebrated Friday as their weekly holiday to accommodate Jumma (Friday) prayers.

The state government last year replaced the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board with the Minority Education Board. The new framework includes educational institutions serving the Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Jain and Buddhist communities.

According to the authorities, out of the 452 previously recognized madrasas, 76 institutions that submitted fresh applications have received recognition as schools in the state. Approximately 30,000 students are enrolled in these institutions.

The applications of another 114 institutions remain under review.

Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Welfare, said that 250 unauthorized madrasas were sealed during the first phase of enforcement.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:53 IST