<![CDATA[This study aims to examine how the independent quality assurance model established by Law No. 18 of 2019 mediates state recognition and pesantren autonomy, identifies implementation challenges, and proposes safeguards for sustainable governance. Employing a qualitative normative-juridical design, the study analyses legislation, ministerial regulations, official communications, media reports, and 35 scholarly articles published between 2024 and 2026. Data were examined through document analysis, thematic coding, source triangulation, and cross-document comparison. The findings reveal two central issues. First, quality assurance facilitates the civil recognition of pesantren qualifications, but its benefits remain unevenly distributed, with administrative compliance potentially disadvantaging smaller institutions and marginalising distinctive scholarly traditions. Second, institutional independence remains vulnerable to technocratic assessment, curricular dominance, financial dependence, political influence, and concentrated leadership authority. The study proposes the Recognition–Autonomy–Assurance (RAA) framework, comprising peer legitimacy, dual-indicator assessment, funding and appointment safeguards, differentiated developmental support, and evidence-based continuous improvement. The framework offers practical guidance for policymakers and pesantren leaders. Future empirical research should evaluate its applicability across diverse institutional and regional contexts.]]>
