SC verdict reserved, Centre notifies Waqf management rules

Despite the ongoing petitions contesting the legitimacy of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which are currently before the Supreme Court, the Centre has issued the “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025”. These rules pertain to the management of the portal and database for waqf properties.The Supreme Court has reserved its decision regarding the petitions that challenge the constitutionality of the Waqf Amendment Act.

As per the newly established rules, a centralized portal and database will be created to facilitate the tracking and monitoring of waqf properties across all states. This initiative will be overseen by a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, who will be responsible for the waqf division.The portal is designed to automatically generate unique identification numbers for each waqf and its related properties.

All states are required to designate an officer of at least Joint Secretary rank as a nodal officer and to establish a centralized support unit in collaboration with the Centre. This unit will assist in the efficient uploading of waqf and property details, thereby ensuring effective registration, account maintenance, auditing, and other related activities concerning the waqf and the Board.

These rules have been formulated under Section 108B of the 1995 Act, which was introduced through the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. The Act became effective on April 8, 2025, and the rules also include provisions for the support of widows, divorced women, and orphans.

The new regulations stipulate that the ‘mutawalli’ must register on the portal and database using their mobile number and email address, with authentication via a one-time password. The ‘mutawalli’ is permitted to submit details of their property designated for the waqf only after completing the registration process on the portal.

According to the rules, any investigation into the wrongful declaration of a property as waqf must be concluded by the designated officer within one year of receiving a reference from the District Collector.