Introduction
On December 8, 2025, the Union Minority Affairs Ministry revealed a significant shortcoming in the registration of waqf properties on the newly launched UMEED portal. Despite the government’s efforts, only 27% of India’s approximately 8.8 lakh waqf properties were successfully registered. This translates to around 2.16 lakh properties, as contrasted with the 8,72,328 immovable waqf assets documented on the government’s WAMSI portal, spread across more than 38 lakh acres.
State-Wise Registration and Challenges
The disparity in registration rates across states is stark. Karnataka led the charge with an 81% registration rate of its 65,242 properties. Jammu and Kashmir followed closely at 77%, and Punjab achieved a commendable 90% registration. In contrast, West Bengal, which has the second-largest number of waqf properties after Uttar Pradesh, managed to register less than 1% of its 80,480 properties. Uttar Pradesh registered only 11% of Sunni and 5% of Shia properties. Maharashtra uploaded 48% of its 36,700 properties. Notably, over 2.13 lakh applications from mutawallis remain pending, and nearly 11,000 have been rejected during the verification process.
Government Response and Legislative Background
In response to these challenges, the government has announced a three-month penalty-free window for those who failed to meet the initial deadline. The registration effort comes eight months after the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, took effect. This legislative push sought to modernize waqf property management but has encountered significant administrative hurdles.
The Importance of Registration
Understanding the importance of this registration crisis requires recognizing the vast scale of waqf properties in India. With 8,72,328 waqf properties managed by 32 State Waqf Boards, the potential for effective management is immense. However, a significant portion of these properties, about 4.02 lakh, are ‘waqf by user’, lacking formal deeds. The Sachar Committee’s 2006 report estimated the market value of waqf properties at ₹1.2 lakh crore, with a potential annual income of ₹12,000 crore if managed efficiently. Yet, actual income was only ₹163 crore annually at the time of the report.
Legal and Judicial Developments
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, faced a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court, with 65 petitions filed against it. Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih, on September 15, 2025, issued an interim judgment staying certain provisions found ‘prima facie arbitrary’. For instance, Section 3(r) requiring a person to demonstrate they have been ‘practising Islam for at least five years’ was stayed due to the lack of a clear mechanism for implementation.
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Implications and Future Steps
The government’s revelation that waqf lands increased by 116% between 2013 and 2024, largely due to comprehensive surveys mandated by the 2013 Amendment, highlights the need for accurate documentation rather than being indicative of encroachment. Protests have erupted, notably in Murshidabad, West Bengal, in response to the Act, reflecting the high stakes for communities reliant on oral tradition for property management.
Conclusion
The UMEED portal’s registration deadline has passed, with an extension now in place. However, the political and social ramifications of this initiative are already evident. The government must prioritize resources for surveying and digitizing properties to bridge the gap between legislative intent and administrative capability.
The issues faced by the UMEED portal and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 demonstrate the complex interplay between law, community rights, and administrative execution. Effective reform requires not just legislative change but also robust support and infrastructure from the government to ensure equitable and efficient management of waqf properties.
