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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 after it was passed in both Houses of Parliament following intense debate
The new law amended the Waqf Act, 1995, to address the regulation of Waqf properties, that is, religious endowments or properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. (Photo: PTI file)
The central government is set to advance the Waqf Act by launching the UMEED portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development) on June 6. The portal aims to facilitate the registration of Waqf properties, which must be completed within six months.
Properties in the name of women cannot be declared as Waqf, and the beneficiaries of Waqf properties should primarily be women, children, and the poor. Detailed property descriptions, including dimensions and geo-tagged locations, are required for registration.
The State Waqf Board will oversee the registration process. Properties not registered within the stipulated timeframe will be considered disputed and referred to a tribunal.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 after it was passed in both Houses of Parliament following intense debate.
Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf Act. However, the Centre has urged the Supreme Court to reject the petitions, arguing that the impugned law does not infringe upon constitutional guarantees.
The new law amended the Waqf Act, 1995, to address the regulation of Waqf properties, that is, religious endowments or properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.
The petitioners challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, argued before the Supreme Court that the contentious amendments introduced to the Waqf law are designed to “capture” properties through an executive and non-judicial process.
According to the petitioners, the amendment amounts to discrimination against Muslims and unwarranted interference in Islamic religious affairs and the management of waqf properties.
On April 17, the apex court decided not to order a stay on the Act after the government’s assurance that it would not implement some provisions for the time being.
During the hearing on May 27, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and others on petitions against the Waqf Act.
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