Major Shortfall in Waqf Records Uploads Ahead of Deadline
As the December deadline approaches, a mere 0.3% of India’s estimated 872,000 waqf properties have been recorded on the central UMEED portal. This alarming statistic highlights a significant gap in the digitization efforts aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the management of waqf properties, which are charitable endowments in Islamic law.
Background on Waqf Properties
Waqf properties play a crucial role in supporting various social and religious activities within Muslim communities. Historically, these properties have been used for educational institutions, mosques, and healthcare facilities. However, the lack of proper documentation and management has often led to disputes and misappropriation. The recent push for digitization through the UMEED portal is part of a broader initiative to streamline waqf management and ensure that these properties serve their intended purposes.
Current Status of the UMEED Portal
According to a senior official from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, only 2,900 waqf records have been uploaded to the UMEED portal, which was launched in June 2025 as part of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. This act mandates that all waqf properties must be registered on the national portal within six months of its commencement. The slow pace of data entry has raised concerns about the potential backlog of cases in waqf tribunals, which are already under pressure due to the existing shortfall in documentation.
Earlier this year, data presented in Parliament revealed that only 9,279 ownership documents and 1,083 registered waqf deeds had been uploaded to the previous WAMSI system. This legacy issue has now been carried over to the UMEED framework, with officials acknowledging that the current rate of uploads is far below the required pace.
Challenges Faced by State Governments
State governments have cited various reasons for the delays in uploading waqf records. Staff shortages in many state waqf boards have been a significant hurdle, with some boards lacking even full-time CEOs. Additionally, many properties are classified as “waqf by user,” which complicates the registration process as these properties are claimed by communities or mutawallis without formal deeds.
A state official noted that the verification and mapping of deeds in rural areas require multiple levels of clearance, making it difficult to complete the process within the stipulated timeframe. The absence of digitized records in many states has further exacerbated the situation, leading to significant delays in uploads.
Supreme Court Intervention
On September 15, the Supreme Court intervened by staying certain provisions of the Waqf law. This included a requirement for individuals intending to create a waqf to prove that they had been practicing Islam for five years, as well as provisions that allowed state governments to unilaterally alter waqf records. The court emphasized that while registrations would be mandatory, the status of existing waqfs would be protected from de-notification pending final adjudication.
This judicial intervention has provided some clarity, and officials are hopeful that the pace of uploads will improve as states gain more confidence in the process.
Future Steps and Initiatives
In response to the ongoing challenges, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has drafted two critical documents: a set of model rules for states under the Waqf Amendment Act and a comprehensive dossier on the Supreme Court’s interim order. These documents are expected to be circulated soon, pending approval from the Union law ministry.
Another significant initiative is the operationalization of the National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO). Initially conceived as a vehicle to mobilize waqf land for development, NAWADCO is now being positioned to lease and develop properties commercially, thereby reducing corruption associated with waqf lands. The ministry has noted that these lands are often located in prime areas, and the revenue generated could be used for community development.
Technical Glitches and Operational Hurdles
Despite the urgency of the situation, officials from various state waqf boards have reported ongoing technical glitches with the UMEED portal. Issues such as missing city and area lists, absent village data, and difficulties in creating user accounts have hindered the uploading process. For instance, officials from Andhra Pradesh described the portal as “seriously unstable,” with some registrations taking an entire day to complete.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has acknowledged these technical challenges, stating that a dedicated technical team is addressing issues as they arise. However, the persistence of these problems raises questions about the robustness of the digital infrastructure designed to support waqf management.
Conclusion
The current state of waqf record uploads in India underscores a critical need for improved management and transparency in the handling of these valuable properties. With only 0.3% of records uploaded ahead of the December deadline, the challenges faced by state governments and waqf boards are significant. However, with the Supreme Court’s recent intervention and the upcoming initiatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, there is hope for a more efficient and transparent waqf management system in the future. The successful implementation of these measures will not only benefit the waqf properties but also the communities that rely on them for essential services and support.
