- NEW DELHI — The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially came into effect on
Tuesday following a Gazette notification issued by the Central Government.
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- The Act received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on
Sunday, two days after its passage in Parliament.
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- “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of
section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), the Central
Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the
provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” read the official
notification published in the Gazette of India.
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- The legislation, which amends key provisions of the original
Waqf Act, has introduced a series of significant reforms. These include
separation of trusts from Waqf entities; introduction of digital and
technological tools for property management; creation of a centralised online
portal for better transparency; restriction of Waqf property dedication to
practicing Muslims only; protection of 'Waqf by User' properties, historically
used by the community; recognition of women's rights in family Waqf, etc.
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- The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of
Friday, April 4, following a marathon 17-hour debate. The Lok Sabha had cleared
the Bill earlier in the week.
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- Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the passage of the
legislation as a watershed moment in India's efforts to reform and modernise
the management of Waqf properties.
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- According to the government, the amended Act aims to bring
transparency and accountability in the administration of Waqf properties and
ensure equitable representation of all Muslim communities in the functioning of
Waqf Boards.
