No Penalties for Delayed Waqf Registration for 3 Months, Rijiju Says
No Penalties for Delayed Waqf Registration for 3 Months, Rijiju Says
Rijiju promises leniency for 3 months on Waqf registrations, while deadline remains Dec 6; tribunals can grant extensions beyond six months.
New Delhi is witnessing a decisive stance on Waqf property registration on the UMEED portal. The six-month deadline mandated under the Waqf Amendment Act ends at 11:59 p.m. on December 6, 2025, and there will be no extension of the uploading deadline. The policy keeps the deadline intact, guided by the Act and Supreme Court directions, but offers a humanitarian window for those who still need time. Mutawallis who cannot finish the process by the deadline can approach the Waqf Tribunal, which has the authority to grant an extension of up to six months.
Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju stressed that no penalties or strict action will be taken for the next three months as a facilitative measure. This is not an extension of the deadline; rather, it is a temporary relief aimed at easing the transition for mutawallis who are navigating the portal and compliance steps.
As of now, the UMEED portal has already seen substantial uptake, with officials reporting that more than 1.5 lakh Waqf properties have been registered. Regional boards and mutawallis are continuing to upload and verify data, with the system designed to provide real-time inventory, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties nationwide. In Telangana, for instance, the Waqf Board noted that registrations have surpassed tens of thousands, reflecting a broad participation across states and the importance of completing the digital inventory before the deadline.
Rijiju reiterated that the law cannot be altered to extend the deadline, but the Waqf Tribunal can grant extensions where warranted. The portal’s six-month deadline remains fixed, and the tribunal’s extension authority serves as a mechanism for relief within the existing legal framework. The overall aim is to maintain compliance while reducing punitive measures for those who encounter genuine difficulties in registering every Waqf property, ensuring a smoother transition to the centralized system.
For mutawallis and managing committees, the path forward is clear: complete as much as possible by December 6, 2025, and, if needed, seek relief from the Waqf Tribunal for a possible extension. The system’s design emphasizes accountability and transparency, while the temporary mercy period reflects a pragmatic approach to a nationwide digital reform.
Cover image source: No penalties for delayed Waqf registration for next three months: Kiren Rijiju 🔗
