New Delhi: The Union Government has notified the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025, aimed at streamlining the administration of waqf properties through a centralised digital portal and database. The notification, issued on July 3, enables the electronic registration, monitoring, and listing of waqf assets across the country.

The rules have been framed under Section 108B of the Waqf Act, 1995 (43 of 1995), a provision introduced through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), which came into force on April 8, 2025. Section 108B empowers the Central Government to make rules for managing waqf properties, including their registration, audit, maintenance of accounts, and provisions for welfare support.

The portal will autogenerate a unique identification number for each waqf and every property dedicated to it, creating a verifiable, centralised record for tracking and monitoring waqf assets nationwide.

Administrative structure

As per the rules, the Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Minority Affairs (Waqf Division) will oversee the portal and database. Each State Government is required to appoint a Nodal Officer (not below the rank of Joint Secretary) and establish a Centralised Support Unit, in coordination with the Centre, to ensure smooth uploading of waqf details and implementation of related functions.

Mandatory mutawalli enrollment

Every mutawalli (caretaker of waqf) must enroll on the portal using their mobile number and email address, authenticated via a one-time password (OTP). Once verified, they can digitally upload details of the waqf and associated properties.

Survey, gazette notification, and upload requirements

State Governments, upon completing waqf surveys, are required to:

Publish a list of auqaf in the Official Gazette,

Include details such as property boundaries, usage, creator, purpose, and current mutawalli,

Upload the complete list to the national portal within 90 days of gazette publication.

Waqf institutions created after the commencement of the 2025 Amendment must apply for registration within three months of creation.

Provisions for welfare and financial oversight

The new rules also lay down procedures for:

Providing maintenance support to widows, divorced women, and orphans from waqf funds,

Conducting regular audits and maintaining registers and accounts of waqf properties in a transparent manner.

Additionally, any inquiry into the wrongful declaration of a property as waqf must be completed by a designated officer within one year of a reference from the District Collector.

Supreme Court challenge pending

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court has reserved its order on multiple petitions seeking a stay on the operation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The court’s decision is expected to impact the implementation trajectory of these newly notified rules.