The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
| Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of India | |
| |
| Territorial extent | Republic of India |
| Passed by | Lok Sabha |
| Passed | 3 April 2025 |
| Passed by | Rajya Sabha |
| Passed | 4 April 2025 |
| Assented to by | Droupadi Murmu President of India |
| Assented to | 5 April 2025 |
| Commenced | 8 April 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Lok Sabha | |
| Bill title | Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 |
| Bill citation | Bill No. 109 of 2024 |
| Introduced by | Kiren Rijiju (BJP) (Minister of Minority Affairs) |
| Introduced | 8 August 2024 |
| First reading | 9 August 2024 |
| Considered in committee | 30 January 2025 |
| Second reading | 2 April 2025 |
| Passed | 3 April 2025 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Second chamber: Rajya Sabha | |
| First reading | 3 April 2025 |
| Passed | 4 April 2025 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Amends | |
| Waqf Act, 1995 | |
| Status: In force | |
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 was introduced in the Indian Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024. It seeks to repeal Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 and amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Act regulates waqf property in India. The act renames the Act to United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 (UWMEED Act 1995).
The amendment incorporates 25 recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), aims for the removal of inequality, introduction of gender equality by mandating representation of at least two Muslim women on the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards and ensuring female inheritance rights, and promotion of sectarian inclusivity by requiring representation from various Muslim sects on State Waqf Boards. The act empowers the Central Government to create rules for Waqf registration, auditing, and accounts, ensuring transparency and accountability. An appeal process is also included, allowing decisions made by Waqf tribunals to be challenged in the High Court within 90 days.