New Delhi, November 5, 2024: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Education Act, 2004, reversing an earlier Allahabad High Court decision that had deemed it unconstitutional. The apex court, however, limited the Act’s authority over higher education degrees, citing conflicts with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act.
The decision clarifies that while the Act remains in force for the regulation of madarsa education in Uttar Pradesh, it cannot govern the issuance or recognition of higher degrees, specifically ‘fazil’ and ‘kamil,’ traditionally awarded by these institutions. The court emphasized that only the UGC has the mandate to regulate higher educational standards in the country.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra reviewed the case. The judgment overturns the Allahabad High Court’s March 22 ruling, which had invalidated the Act. The ruling holds implications for the balance of powers in educational governance, particularly in religious institutions.
Implications of the Verdict
Legal experts note that the ruling reinforces the autonomy of religious institutions to manage basic and intermediate education while aligning higher educational standards with national benchmarks under the UGC. This decision is expected to impact the educational structure within madarsas in Uttar Pradesh, potentially prompting new regulatory frameworks in line with the judgment.
The case underscores the ongoing dialogue around educational autonomy and the central role of the UGC in maintaining consistent higher education standards across India.
