{"id":103953,"date":"2026-05-18T13:22:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T07:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=103953"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:22:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T07:52:20","slug":"waqf-amendment-bill-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/waqf-amendment-bill-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Meaning, Highlights &#038; Important Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was introduced to bring changes to the existing <\/span><b>Waqf Act, 1995 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the aim of improving the management of waqf properties. It focuses on making the system more transparent, accountable, and efficient. The bill also proposes steps like better record-keeping, increased participation, including women in decision-making bodies, and the use of digital systems. At present, the bill is being examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 Highlights<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Waqf <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">means a permanent <\/span><b>donation of property by a person for religious, charitable, or pious purposes under Muslim law.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such purposes include <\/span><b>maintaining mosques and graveyards, running schools and hospitals, and helping the poor and needy.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Matters related to religious and charitable institutions come under the <\/span><b>Concurrent List<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution, so both the Central and State Governments can make laws on them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At present, <\/span><b>waqf properties in India are governed by the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/waqf-amendment-bill-1995\/#:~:text=The%20Waqf%20Act%20of%201995%20establishes%20Waqf%20Boards%20in%20each,or%20be%20sued%20in%20court.\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Waqf Act, 1995<\/b><\/a><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which replaced earlier laws made in <\/span><b>1913, 1923, and 1954.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, some states like <\/span><b>Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal had their own waqf laws,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but these were removed after the 1995 Act came into force.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A waqf can be created in different ways:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By declaring property through an oral or written statement<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By using land for a long time for religious or charitable purposes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By donating property after the end of family inheritance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The person <\/span><b>who creates a waqf is called a wakif,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the person who manages it is called a <\/span><b>mutawalli.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of September 2024, there are about <\/span><b>8.7 lakh registered immovable waqf properties in India.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has the largest waqf property holding in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/sachar-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Sachar Committee<\/b><\/a><b> (2006)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> estimated their value at around <\/span><b>\u20b91.2 lakh crore.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are several issues:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Around 7% properties are encroached<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>2% are under legal disputes<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>The status of nearly 50% properties is unknown<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most waqf properties include <\/span><b>graveyards, agricultural land, mosques, and shops.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States with the highest share are <\/span><b>Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, waqf laws have expanded:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>1913 Act: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognised waqf deeds<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>1923 Act:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Made registration compulsory<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>1954 Act: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Created Central Waqf Council and State <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/waqf-board\/\" target=\"_blank\">Waqf Boards<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b>1995 Act:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Introduced tribunals and better management systems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Various committees have pointed out problems such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor use of property income<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encroachment of land<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of proper maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delay in tribunal cases<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weak transparency and survey systems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2013, the Act was amended to improve oversight, define encroachers, and strengthen tribunals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It proposes changes related to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Structure of Waqf Boards and Council<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rules for creating waqf<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Powers of the Board in identifying waqf properties<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill is currently being examined by a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/joint-parliamentary-committees-jpc-on-financial-allegations\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Joint Parliamentary Committee<\/b><\/a><b>, headed by Jagdambika Pal.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 Key Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Formation of waqf:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law earlier allowed waqf through declaration, long-term use (waqf by user), and family endowment (waqf-alal-aulad). The Bill now allows only those who have practiced Islam for at least five years to create waqf and requires them to be the rightful owner of the property. It removes the concept of waqf by user and ensures that waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights, including those of women.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Survey of waqf properties:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The existing system of Survey Commissioner is replaced, and the District Collector will now be responsible for conducting surveys of waqf properties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Government property as waqf:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If any government property is identified as waqf, it will no longer be treated as such. In case of disputes, the District Collector will decide ownership and update official records accordingly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Central Waqf Council composition:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, most members had to be Muslims. The Bill removes this requirement for certain members like MPs and judges and makes it mandatory to include at least two non-Muslim members, while continuing representation of women.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Waqf Board composition:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of elections, members will now be nominated by the state government, and they may be non-Muslims. The Board must include at least two non-Muslims, representation from Shia, Sunni, and backward Muslim groups, and at least two Muslim women members.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Tribunal composition:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The earlier inclusion of an expert in Muslim law is removed. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/tribunals\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Tribunal<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will now consist of a current or former <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/subordinate-courts\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>District Court<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> judge and a senior government officer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Appeals provision:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, Tribunal decisions were final. The Bill allows appeals against these decisions in the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/high-courts-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">High Court<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within 90 days, increasing scope for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/judicial-review\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>judicial review<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 aims to improve waqf property management through transparency, digital records, surveys and reforms in Waqf Boards and tribunals in India legally<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[5264,5265,7588],"class_list":{"0":"post-103953","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-general-studies","7":"tag-governance","8":"tag-governance-notes","9":"tag-waqf-amendment-bill-2024","10":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103953"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":103976,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103953\/revisions\/103976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}