Waqf has a long history since 1913, and recently, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed in both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha). Waqf plays an important role in supporting religious and social welfare activities in India. Over the years, several laws have been made to protect and manage Waqf properties properly. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is the latest reform that aims to improve transparency, reduce legal issues, and modernise the system. From early laws in 1913 to 2025, by Waqf law, it is ensured that all Waqf properties serve the community in a fair and effective way.
#RajyaSabha passes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 & the Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2025 after due discussions & considerations.
— Ministry of Minority Affairs (@MOMAIndia) April 4, 2025
This landmark legislation aims to enhance transparency, accountability & regulatory oversight in the management of #waqf properties across India,… pic.twitter.com/AJ3CLnkUQy
What is Waqf?
Waqf refers to the permanent dedication of any movable or immovable property by a person for purposes that are considered pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim law.
What is the history of the Waqf Bill?
India has a long history of regulating and protecting Waqf properties because they hold religious, social, and economic value for communities.
- The first major step was the Waqf Act of 1954. Over the years, several changes were made to strengthen the laws, improve transparency, and stop the misuse of Waqf properties.
- The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, is the latest reform. It focuses on
- Better management
- Legal clarity
- Transparency
- Protection of Waqf properties
What is the current system of Waqf administration in India?
The Waqf Act of 1995, managed by the Central Government, is the current law that oversees Waqf matters. Below are the main bodies involved:
| Institution | Role |
| Central Waqf Council (CWC) | Advises the government and state boards on policy matters. Doesn’t manage Waqf properties directly. |
| State Waqf Boards (SWBs) | Handle day-to-day management and protection of Waqf properties in their respective states. |
| Waqf Tribunals | Special courts to settle Waqf-related disputes. Their decisions are final. |
This setup helps in faster issue resolution and improves governance.
Major timeline for the Waqf Laws
India has seen several laws over the years to improve the functioning of Waqf systems.
- Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1913: Allowed the creation of family Waqfs that could later serve charitable purposes.
- Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923: Introduced transparency in financial accounts of Waqfs.
- Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1930: Gave legal backing to family Waqfs under the 1913 law.
- Waqf Act, 1954: Established State Waqf Boards for better oversight. Formed the Central Waqf Council in 1964 to guide state boards.
- Amendments to the 1954 Act (1959, 1964, 1969, 1984): Continued to improve Waqf property administration.
- Waqf Act, 1995 (Replaced 1954 Act): Clearly defined roles of the Central Council, State Boards, and CEOs. It has also set up Waqf Tribunals with civil court powers. Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts.
- Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013: In these amendments, three-member tribunals, including a Muslim law expert. There is a requirement for two women members on every State Waqf Board. There was also a banned sale or gifting of Waqf properties, and the period of lease was extended from 3 to 30 years to allow better property use.
Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 & Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to streamline Waqf property management while safeguarding heritage sites and tribal property rights.#WaqfAmendmentBill2025 #WaqfBill @mpa_india pic.twitter.com/oqenCa53Zv
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) April 4, 2025
The 2025 bill focuses on:
- Modernizing Waqf administration
- Minimizing legal disputes
- Fixing gaps in the 1995 Act and in 2013 Amendment
- Improving overall efficiency
These changes aim to align with global best practices in property management.
How many government schemes are there for Waqf development?
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) runs two major programmes:
1. Quami Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS)
It offers Government Grants-in-Aid (GIA) and also helps State Boards digitise Waqf records. It also supports hiring manpower and computerisation
2. Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY)
SWSVY provides interest-free loans and helps in developing commercial projects on Waqf lands.
Expenditure on QWBTS and SWSVY from 2019 to 2024
| Scheme | Amount Spent (in ₹ Crore) |
| Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) | 23.87 |
| SHAHARI WAQF SAMPATTI VIKAS YOJANA (SWSVY) | 7.16 |
What is the current status of Waqf properties in India?
Now let’s see the current status of Waqf properties in India, as per data on the WAMSI Portal (as of March 14, 2025):
- Total Waqf properties: 8.72 lakh
- Total area: 38 lakh+ acres
- Properties with user-based Waqf: 4.02 lakh
- Documents uploaded
- Ownership documents: 9279
- Waqf deeds: 1083 only
State-wise Waqf Property Data (As of September 2024)
| S.No. | State/UT | Total Properties | Area (in Acres) |
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar | 151 | 178.09 |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | 14,685 | 78,229.97 |
| 3 | Assam | 2,654 | 6,618.14 |
| 4 | Bihar (Shia) | 1,750 | 29,009.52 |
| 5 | Bihar (Sunni) | 6,866 | 169,344.82 |
| 6 | Chandigarh | 34 | 23.26 |
| 7 | Chhattisgarh | 4,230 | 12,347.1 |
| 8 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 30 | 4.41 |
| 9 | Delhi | 1,047 | 28.09 |
| 10 | Gujarat | 39,940 | 86,438.95 |
| 11 | Haryana | 23,267 | 36,482.4 |
| 12 | Himachal Pradesh | 5,343 | 8,727.6 |
| 13 | Jammu & Kashmir | 32,533 | 350,300.75 |
| 14 | Jharkhand (Sunni) | 698 | 1,084.76 |
| 15 | Karnataka | 62,830 | 596,516.61 |
| 16 | Kerala | 53,282 | 36,167.21 |
| 17 | Lakshadweep | 896 | 143.81 |
| 18 | Madhya Pradesh | 33,472 | 679,072.39 |
| 19 | Maharashtra | 36,701 | 201,105.17 |
| 20 | Manipur | 991 | 10,077.44 |
| 21 | Meghalaya | 58 | 889.07 |
| 22 | Odisha | 10,314 | 28,714.65 |
| 23 | Puducherry | 693 | 352.67 |
| 24 | Punjab | 75,965 | 72,867.89 |
| 25 | Rajasthan | 30,895 | 509,725.57 |
| 26 | Tamil Nadu | 66,092 | 655,003.2 |
| 27 | Telangana | 45,682 | 143,305.89 |
| 28 | Tripura | 2,814 | 1,015.73 |
| 29 | Uttar Pradesh (Shia) | 15,386 | 20,483 |
| 30 | Uttar Pradesh (Sunni) | 2,17,161 | - |
| 31 | Uttarakhand | 5,388 | 21.8 |
| 32 | West Bengal | 80,480 | 82,011.84 |
Total Properties: 8,72,328
Total Area: 38,16,291.788 Acres
Conclusion
India’s Waqf laws have evolved steadily from 1913 to 2025 to ensure Waqf properties are well-managed and used for community welfare. Each law was created to fix existing problems while keeping the true purpose of Waqf alive.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, is a major step towards making the system:
- More transparent
- Legally sound
- Efficient
- Inclusive
It reflects the country's commitment to protecting religious endowments and modernising governance in line with today’s needs.
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