Govt to launch ‘Umeed’ portal on June 6 to facilitate registration of Waqf properties: Report

Govt to launch ‘Umeed’ portal on June 6 to facilitate registration of Waqf properties

The central government is set to advance the newly amended Waqf Act by launching the UMEED portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development) on June 6. The platform aims to streamline the registration of Waqf properties, which must be completed within six months.

As per the revised norms under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, properties registered in the name of women cannot be declared as Waqf, and the primary beneficiaries of Waqf assets must be women, children, and economically weaker sections. The registration process will require detailed documentation, including property dimensions and geo-tagged locations.

The State Waqf Boards will oversee the registration drive. Properties that remain unregistered beyond the six-month window will be marked as disputed and referred to a tribunal.

The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed on April 5 after receiving the presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu following heated debates in both houses of the parliament.

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.

Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the amendments. The petitioners argue that the changes 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.

In response, the Centre has urged the apex court to dismiss the petitions, asserting that the amended law does not violate constitutional protections.

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.