Sat Jul 05 02:25:35 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Indian government has implemented the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025, following amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995. These rules establish a centralized online portal and database for managing Waqf properties (Islamic charitable endowments) across the country. The portal aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the registration, management, and auditing of Waqf properties. State governments are required to appoint nodal officers and establish support units to assist in the implementation. The new system also mandates enrollment of Waqf managers (mutawallis) on the portal and sets deadlines for the upload of Waqf property details.
**News Article:**
**New Delhi, July 5, 2025:** The Indian government has launched the ‘UMEED Portal’ (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency & Development Rules, 2025), marking a significant step towards modernizing and streamlining the management of Waqf properties nationwide. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju officially launched the portal on June 6, 2025.
The new rules, notified on July 3, 2025, are an exercise of powers under Section 108B of the 1995 Act, which was inserted through the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, which came into effect from April 8, 2025. They establish a centralized online database and portal designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and development within the Waqf system. The initiative mandates the registration of Waqf properties, the maintenance of accounts, and the publication of audit reports through the new digital platform.
According to the notified rules, a joint secretary from the Ministry of Minority Affairs will oversee the portal and database. Each state government must appoint a nodal officer and establish a centralized support unit to facilitate the uploading of Waqf details.
The portal will feature real-time monitoring of Waqf registration, institutional governance, court cases, dispute resolution, financial oversight, and survey/development activities. Waqf managers (mutawallis) are required to enroll on the portal using mobile and email authentication, allowing them to update and manage details of their respective Waqf properties. Central Waqf Council will have access to the uploaded information.
State governments have been given deadlines to upload the list of auqaf, or Waqf properties, to the portal, with a grace period of 90 days for any delays along with valid reasons. The application for registration of Waqf shall be made on the portal and database in Form 4. The board shall maintain a register of auqaf under Section 37 of the Act in electronic mode on the portal and database in Form 5.
The implementation of the UMEED Portal is expected to bring greater accountability and efficiency to the management of Waqf properties, ensuring their proper utilization for the benefit of the community.
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