The Supreme Court has refused to extend the UMEED portal registration deadline, while religious leaders warn snags risk leaving thousands of Waqf properties unregistered, inviting potential disputes
NEW DELHI — The deadline for registering Waqf properties on UMEED portal ends on December 5. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that this date would be final, despite repeated appeals from Muslim MPs, Waqf Boards, and community organisations.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Minister Rijiju said, “The Supreme Court has dismissed the application to extend the deadline for uploading details of Waqf properties on the UMEED portal and has reiterated that December 5, 2025, is the final date.”
The minister further emphasised: “As the Minister for Minority Affairs, I have received several requests from Waqf Boards and stakeholders to extend it. For any complaint or issue related to Waqf properties, the UMEED Act provides a clear mechanism for redress; stakeholders can approach the Waqf Tribunal as per the procedure outlined in the law. The ministry is committed to strengthening transparency, accountability, and Waqf management across the country.”
The Waqf Amendment Act came into effect on April 8, 2025, following approval from both houses of Parliament and the President. The government had simultaneously set December 5 as the final date for uploading all Waqf property details on the UMEED portal.
However, reports suggest that a majority of Waqf properties remain unregistered due to technical issues with the portal. While the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) portal efficiently handles data for 1.4 billion voters nationwide, the UMEED portal, designed specifically for registering Waqf properties, has faced persistent delays, raising concerns among Muslim leaders.
Shia religious leader Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, speaking from Lucknow, highlighted the portal’s technical failures and questioned the administration’s approach. “The SIR portal for 1.4 billion people is running fine, but the UMEED portal for only about 8,000 Waqf properties has been down for six days. This situation appears deliberately created to prevent timely registration,” he said.
He added, “If the UMEED portal is not fixed soon and the deadline is not extended, thousands of Waqf properties will remain unregistered in government records, which could lead to major disputes in the future.”
Maulana Kalbe Jawwad appealed to the government to extend the registration period by at least six months to ensure all Waqf properties are properly recorded. He also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Hussainabad Trust in Lucknow. “Complaints were made to the Lucknow District Magistrate, but repeated requests to investigate have gone unanswered,” he stated.
Further highlighting bureaucratic negligence, he mentioned an RTI request related to this matter resulted in a fine of ₹25,000 on the department for failing to respond on time. “This is a victory of truth,” he said, “and proves administrative negligence.”
Muslim organisations across India have expressed alarm at the situation, pointing out that delays in Waqf property registration could threaten community assets and disrupt proper management. They insist that the government should address technical issues and ensure that every Waqf property is recorded in official records.
A spokesperson for a leading Muslim organisation remarked, “Waqf properties are sacred assets for our community. Delays in registration not only undermine transparency but also jeopardise the rights and interests of millions of Indian Muslims.”
With the Supreme Court refusing to extend the deadline and technical glitches persisting, the future of thousands of Waqf properties remains uncertain. Leaders like Maulana Kalbe Jawwad continue to urge immediate action, highlighting that without proper registration, disputes could escalate, impacting both religious and social stability.
