New Delhi, July 4: In a major step toward streamlining the governance of Waqf properties across India, the Union Government has officially notified the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025. These newly notified rules lay down the operational framework for a range of critical functions under the recently amended Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, with a special focus on the creation of a centralized digital portal, maintenance of a nationwide property database, and standardized audit protocols.
With the issuance of these rules, the Ministry of Minority Affairs will now begin the process of uploading and updating all registered Waqf properties on a unified national portal. This digital portal is expected to bring long-awaited transparency, accountability, and uniformity to the management of Waqf assets. A key provision includes the automatic generation of a unique identification number for every registered Waqf property, which will become the reference point for all transactions, monitoring, and compliance reviews related to that asset.
According to the rules, the operational control and oversight of this digital infrastructure will lie with the Joint Secretary-level official in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The rules also mandate that mutawallis—managers or caretakers of Waqf properties—must register themselves on the portal using their verified mobile number and email address to access and update records.
To address concerns over alleged misuse or wrongful claims of Waqf status for certain properties, the rules provide a timeline for resolution. Specifically, any complaint regarding the false declaration of land or property as Waqf must be examined and concluded by a designated government officer within one year of receiving a reference from the District Collector. This time-bound mechanism aims to prevent protracted legal disputes and safeguard legitimate property ownership.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs had earlier forwarded the draft rules to the Ministry of Law and Justice for legal vetting. These rules form the backbone of the operational rollout of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025—a piece of legislation that has sparked nationwide debate and is currently under judicial scrutiny in the Supreme Court. While the Act was passed by Parliament in April amid strong reactions from various stakeholders, a batch of petitions challenging its controversial provisions has been reserved for final judgment by the apex court.
With the central rules now in place, the next phase involves the drafting of model rules for the states. A committee of legal experts, including retired officials from the Law Ministry and domain specialists, will be constituted to frame these model rules. States will then be allowed to adopt and, if necessary, modify these rules based on local administrative requirements, provided the changes align with the overarching legal framework.
Furthermore, to ensure coordination between the Centre and the states, each state government will be required to designate a senior officer of Joint Secretary rank as the nodal official responsible for implementation. This officer will serve as the key point of contact with the Central Support Unit for uploading Waqf property data, maintaining digital records, and overseeing timely audits and property updates.