New Delhi, 13 July 2026 : The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by nearly 350 teachers and non-teaching employees of recognised madrasas in West Bengal who were seeking salaries under the state government’s grant in aid programme.
The petitioners had approached the apex court seeking financial assistance for their salaries, arguing that eligible madrasa employees should receive benefits under the state’s aid framework. However, the court refused to grant relief, bringing an end to the legal challenge over salary support.
The development comes amid a broader policy shift by the newly formed West Bengal government, which has initiated a review of several schemes and administrative decisions related to minority educational institutions.
State Government Ends Religion Based Assistance Schemes
Soon after assuming office, the Suvendu Adhikari led West Bengal cabinet decided to discontinue certain assistance programmes that were categorised on religious lines. The government stated that welfare schemes should follow broader eligibility criteria rather than being based on religious classification.
The decision effectively ended several initiatives introduced during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration led by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
The state government has also begun the process of restructuring the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list following directions from the Calcutta High Court. Officials said a new committee would be constituted to examine claims and determine eligibility for reservation benefits.
Inspection Drive Launched for Unaided Madrasas
The state administration has also ordered inspections of unaided madrasas operating across 12 districts of West Bengal. The exercise aims to assess the functioning of these institutions and verify whether they are following government education norms.
According to an order issued on July 8 by the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department, inspections will cover both recognised and unrecognised unaided madrasas.
Officials have been asked to complete the inspection process by July 15 and submit detailed reports by July 21.
A senior government official said the review was being conducted to ensure better educational standards, student welfare and proper implementation of academic policies.
“The inspections are being carried out to understand the functioning of institutions, ensure compliance with educational guidelines and support effective planning,” the official said.
Senior Officials Assigned District-Wise Responsibilities
The government has assigned responsibilities to senior officials from the madrasa education department along with representatives of other agencies for conducting the inspections.
The districts included in the review are Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
Officials will examine various aspects of madrasa operations, including administrative procedures, educational activities and adherence to existing regulations.
Unaided Madrasas Operate Without Government Funding
Unlike government-aided institutions, unaided madrasas in West Bengal do not receive financial support from the state. These institutions include privately managed recognised madrasas as well as unrecognised Khariji madrasas.
Khariji madrasas are generally managed by individuals, community groups or private organisations. While thousands of such institutions are believed to be operating across the state, there is no official consolidated data available on their exact number.
The latest government review is expected to provide updated information about the functioning and status of these institutions.
Policy Changes Spark Debate Over Madrasa Administration
The Supreme Court’s decision and the state government’s policy measures have triggered discussions over the future of madrasa administration and funding in West Bengal.
While government officials maintain that the reforms are aimed at improving transparency and ensuring uniform educational standards, opposition parties and some community representatives have raised concerns over the impact of these decisions on teachers, students and minority educational institutions.
The state government has maintained that its approach focuses on education quality, accountability and compliance with established rules rather than targeting any particular community.
With inspections underway and policy changes being implemented, the future framework for madrasa management and financial assistance in West Bengal is likely to remain a key issue in the coming months.