What is Waqf Board and why is it a news spotlight?
The Waqf Board recently came under the news in 2025 as the government brought attention to some specific amendments in the board administration of waqf properties. With the growing interest of the public, it is significant to understand what is the Waqf Board and what are the latest developments amended by the Government of India.
A brief introduction of Waqf
Waqf or Wakf is a long-term Islamic practice where a person endows something that they have. It might be the building, land, money etc. The owner mainly gives away these for charitable and religious purposes. It cannot be inherited and sold once it is donated. The purpose of waqf is mainly proposed for the betterment of the Muslim community across India.
Let's say an individual donated a specific amount of land to
build a mosque, hospital or school. This land would be called waqf.
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Who manages the Waqf?
The Government of India enacted the Waqf Act of 1954 and then amended it multiple Times and finally replaced and repealed it with the Waqf Act of 1995. In adhering to this act, a special committee known as the Waqf Board administers the waqf properties and ensures that they are utilised properly for the below.
●
Schools
●
Mosques
●
Orphanages
●
Helping the poor
● Hospitals
Key responsibilities of the Waqf Board:
● Managing and directing the waqf properties in the bread and length of this vast country India.
● Monitor the waqf properties to prevent illegal interference and political exploitation.
● Ensure that the funds are utilised for social welfare.
What are the key reforms proposed in the new Waqf Bill 2025?
Removal of doctrine “waqf by user”
“Waqf by User” refers to the property treated as waqf property without any valid waqfnama. Historically, various graveyards and mosques have been entitled as Waqf Property even in the absence of formal and legal documentation. The revised bill has clearly stated that properties known as “Waqf by User” must be registered before the law’s enforcement. Or else, their status would be called disputed or highlighted as government property.
Inclusion of Non-Muslim members into Waqf Board
The new bill made a provision that empowered the Non-Muslim people to be appointed as members to the Waqf Institution including the State Waqf Board, Central Waqf Board and the Waqf Tribunals. According to this act, at least two members belonging to Non-Muslim communities can be appointed to the institution.
Increased government vigilance on Waqf Property survey
The previous version of the bill has mandated that the district collectors or the equivalent designation holder will be authorised to survey the properties belongs to Waqf. Nevertheless, based on the joint parliamentary committee recommendation, the bill now mandated to appoint senior officers above the district collector rank. The person would be eligible to conduct the survey an especially in the instances of disputed government ownership.
Mandatory
registration portal to register Waqf Properties
The new bill has declared the establishment of a centralised registration system to improve the accuracy of property records associated with Waqf. All the Waqf properties should register through the online portal within the time period of 6 months of the law enforcement. It has also added a concession of the 6-month deadline (Empowered by the Waqf Tribunal) in case any waqf properties fail to register within the time stipulation.
Judicial Review of the Disputed Waqf Properties
The bill has enabled judicial intervention for the Waqf property dispute by declining the final judgement given by the Waqf Tribunal. People are authorised to appeal to the high court directly within 90 days of the period of declaring the tribunal order.
Final words
The Waqf Amended Bill 2025 instigates some significant reforms to improve the accuracy, transparency, governance and efficacy of the Waqf board management in the country India. By concerning all the deep-rooted issues such as the disputes and absence of judicial oversight, this new bill intended to frame a more accountable and holistic approach for managing Waqf property.