UMEED Portal & Waqf Management in India: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

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Context

The Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Portal to create a centralized, transparent, and efficient digital inventory of all Waqf properties across India.

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What is Waqf ?

Waqf is the permanent, irrevocable dedication of property (movable or immovable) by a Muslim for a purpose recognized as pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim law.

Once a property is declared as Waqf, it is considered to be owned by God and cannot be sold, gifted, or mortgaged.

The person who creates the Waqf is known as the Waqif, and the property is managed by a caretaker called a Mutawalli.

The income generated from property is used for the welfare of the community, funding institutions like schools, hospitals, and mosques.

What is the UMEED Portal?

The Ministry of Minority Affairs launched nationwide mission to digitize all Waqf property records via two key portals.

WAMSI (Waqf Assets Management System of India): Online portal to digitize Waqf property records, using GIS mapping to prevent encroachment.
UMEED Portal: Centralized digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of all Waqf properties.

Key Benefits of Waqf Property Digitization

Centralized National Database: Establishes a single, geo-tagged digital inventory of all Waqf properties.
Enhanced Transparency: Public property details curb corruption, mismanagement, and illegal sales/occupation.
Prevent Encroachment: GIS/GPS mapping clearly demarcates boundaries and monitors illegal occupation.
Improve Asset Monetization: Proper documentation unlocks economic potential for community welfare revenue.
Efficient Administration: Streamlines State Waqf Board management processes.

As of December 2025, over 5.17 lakh Waqf properties were initiated for registration on the UMEED portal. (Source: PIB)

Source: livelaw

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What is the primary purpose of the UMEED portal launched by the Government of India?

A. To manage and digitize all Waqf properties for transparency.

B. To provide direct financial aid to minority students for higher education.

C. To facilitate the annual Haj pilgrimage for Indian Muslims.

D. To create a grievance redressal system for all minority communities.

Answer: A

Explanation: The Ministry of Minority Affairs' UMEED portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) is a centralized digital platform to register, geo-tag, verify, and monitor all Waqf properties nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) Portal is a centralised digital platform launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to create a transparent, geo-tagged, and verified inventory of all Waqf properties across India.

Under Islamic law, a Waqf is a permanent charitable endowment of a property by an individual or group for religious, pious, or public welfare purposes. Once designated as Waqf, the property cannot be sold or transferred.

UMEED introduces mandatory features that WAMSI lacked, including precise geo-tagging of all properties and a "Maker-Checker-Approver" three-tier verification process to ensure data accuracy and prevent fraudulent entries.