India’s New Era for Waqf Property Management: The UMEED Portal and Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

In 2025, the Government of India took a landmark step towards modernizing the management of waqf properties by launching the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Portal, alongside notifying the comprehensive Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This initiative aims to bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in handling vast waqf assets that have historically faced issues of mismanagement and encroachment.

The central government is set to launch the 'Umeed' portal on June 6 | India Today

The Genesis of UMEED and Digital Transformation

Waqf properties, which are charitable endowments under Islamic law, constitute significant community wealth in India, often used for religious, educational, and social welfare purposes. However, the lack of centralized records and inconsistent administration have hindered effective governance.

To address this, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the UMEED Portal on June 6, 2025. The portal is designed as a centralized, digital platform to record and monitor all waqf properties across India. By requiring geo-tagging and generating unique 17-digit identification numbers for each property, the government aims to eliminate discrepancies, fraudulent claims, and encroachments.

This digital initiative is underpinned by the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into force on April 8, 2025. The Act empowers the central government to mandate uniform procedures for waqf property registration, survey, audit, and welfare fund disbursement, aiming to streamline what has long been a fragmented system.

Key Features and Legal Provisions of the Amendment

The amendment significantly reshapes the regulatory framework governing waqf properties. It entrusts district collectors with the responsibility to conduct surveys and verify ownership claims, a shift from the previous reliance on survey commissioners. This measure seeks to bring in more localized, accountable governance.

Importantly, all waqf properties must now be registered on the UMEED Portal within six months, with newly created waqfs given three months for registration. The portal facilitates comprehensive documentation, including property boundaries, usage details, and caretaker (mutawalli) information. Such digitization is expected to improve transparency and ease the process of monitoring asset utilization.

The Act also stipulates stronger governance measures, mandating the inclusion of professionals and reserved seats for women on waqf boards. It emphasizes the use of waqf funds for critical community welfare initiatives such as education, healthcare, housing for widows, divorced women, and orphans. These changes reflect a shift towards modernized, inclusive management with a focus on social upliftment.

To tackle encroachment and fraudulent claims, the law equips district collectors with powers to take back illegal occupations of waqf lands and mandates public notice before property mutations. Should delays or lapses occur in registration or reporting, cases can be escalated to specialized Waqf Tribunals, reinforcing judicial oversight.

Reception and Controversies Surrounding the Reform

While the government hails the amendment and the UMEED Portal as historic steps that will prevent corruption and enhance Muslim community welfare, the reforms have met with mixed reactions.

BJP leaders have lauded the Act’s potential to bring much-needed accountability and efficient fund use. They argue that digitization will curb longstanding mismanagement and empower rightful beneficiaries.

Conversely, several Muslim organizations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Imarat-e-Shariah, along with opposition politicians like Tejashwi Yadav, have criticized the Act. They claim it infringes upon Muslim religious rights and opens the door to government overreach in waqf property affairs. Protests erupted in places such as Patna and Murshidabad, with some incidents escalating into violence. The Act has thus become a political flashpoint, especially in states like Bihar where opposition parties have promised to repeal the law if elected.

Adding to the debate, petitions challenging the constitutional validity of parts of the amendment are pending before the Supreme Court. Critics argue that certain provisions enable non-judicial takeover of waqf assets, threatening religious autonomy and potentially impacting heritage sites. The Supreme Court's verdict, expected in the coming months, is poised to be pivotal in determining the Act’s future implementation.

Practical Implications and the Path Forward

On the administrative front, the UMEED Portal’s success depends heavily on state governments’ cooperation. Several states have begun appointing nodal officers and setting up centralized support units to facilitate compliance. Yet, progress varies, and the government has pressed for strict adherence to timelines for uploading survey data and property details.

The digitization process has already revealed discrepancies in existing records. For instance, Right to Information (RTI) applications in Delhi exposed significant mismatches between recorded and actual waqf properties, underscoring the portal’s necessity.

The reform’s long-term impact will also hinge on how waqf funds are allocated toward welfare projects. The emphasis on education, healthcare, and social housing suggests a vision of waqfs as dynamic engines of community development, provided the governance challenges are addressed.

Conclusion

India’s 2025 Waqf reforms, epitomized by the UMEED Portal and the accompanying Amendment Act, represent a bold attempt to modernize the management of religious endowments, promoting transparency and community welfare. The digital transformation offers a promising avenue to curb corruption, prevent encroachments, and ensure that waqf properties serve their intended social purposes.

However, the reforms have also ignited debates around religious autonomy, governance, and political contestation. The pending Supreme Court judgment and state-level implementation efforts will critically shape the success and acceptance of these measures. Ultimately, the balance between safeguarding community rights and ensuring accountable administration will define the future of waqf property governance in India.

(Sources: OpIndia, Hindustan Times, India Today)