Bengal govt orders inspection of unaided madrasas in 12 dists
Times of India | 12 July 2026
Kolkata: In a fresh order, the Bengal govt has ordered an inspection of unaided madrasas operating across 12 districts and directed the authorities concerned to submit reports by July 21. The inspection is slated to be completed by July 15, an official said.
Per the July 8 order by the state minority affairs and madrasa education department, the inspection of selected unaided madrasas — both recognised and unrecognised — is necessary as part of an exercise to review their functioning and ensure compliance with the govt’s educational framework and policies.
“The inspections are being undertaken in the interest of student welfare, proper implementation of educational schemes, institutional planning and verification of the functioning of unaided institutions,” a senior govt official said.
Senior madrasa department officials, along with other govt agencies, have been assigned district-wise responsibilities to conduct the inspections. The districts covered include Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
Unaided madrasas in Bengal operate without govt financial assistance. They can be private, recognised institutions or unrecognised Khariji madrasas. Khariji madrasas, which are run and maintained by individuals, communities or private organisations, are estimated to be well over 1,000 across the state, while no official count is available.
“The main objective of the govt is to collect data mostly about Khariji madrasas, including information on the foundation, source of funds, number of students, strength of teaching and non-teaching staff, whether the institution is residential and the curriculum offered there to determine whether these institutions are operating in accordance with the state’s educational policies and regulatory framework,” an official elaborated.
The order states that inspecting officers will visit the designated madrasas and submit their findings in a prescribed inspection format.