Politics

Waqf Act Challenge: Governing Religious Endowments in India, Full Timeline

India changed its waqf law in 2025. The Supreme Court put parts on hold, and hears the main challenge in January 2027.

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1923

The First Law on Muslim Endowments

The Mussalman Wakf Act made mutawallis file statements of property and accounts. It was repealed in 2025.

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1954 TO 1964

Waqf Act and the Central Waqf Council

The 1954 Act created State Waqf Boards. The Central Waqf Council followed in 1964 to advise the government.

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1995

The Waqf Act, 1995

It set rules for surveys, registers and Boards, and created Waqf Tribunals for disputes. Amended in 2013.

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A CENTURY OF LAW

From 1923 to the 2027 Hearing

1923 Act, 1954 Act, 1995 Act, 2013 and 2025 amendments, the September 2025 interim order and the hearing in January 2027.

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8 AUG 2024

Amendment Bill Introduced, Sent to a Committee

Kiren Rijiju introduced it. After opposition objections it went to a Joint Parliamentary Committee the same day.

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13 FEB 2025

Committee Report Tabled

Chaired by Jagdambika Pal, it adopted ruling-alliance amendments and rejected the opposition's, which filed dissent notes.

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3 TO 4 APR 2025

Parliament Passes the Bill After Midnight

Lok Sabha 288 to 232 in the early hours of 3 April; Rajya Sabha 128 to 95 in the early hours of 4 April.

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THE PASSAGE

From Bill to Act in Eight Months

Introduced 8 August 2024, committee report 30 January 2025, both Houses 3 and 4 April, assent 5 April, in force 8 April.

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WHAT CHANGED

The Main Changes in the 2025 Act

Five-year rule, no new waqf by user, officer for government land, non-Muslim members, UMEED portal, High Court appeals.

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16 TO 17 APR 2025

Supreme Court Hears the Petitions

No waqf, including waqf by user, would be denotified and no Board appointments made until the next hearing.

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20 TO 22 MAY 2025

Three Days of Arguments, Order Reserved

Chief Justice Gavai and Justice Masih heard three issues: waqf by user, non-Muslim members and government land.

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6 JUN 2025

UMEED Portal Goes Live

A central registry for every waqf. Its launch started a six-month upload window, ending 6 December 2025.

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15 SEP 2025

Interim Judgment: Parts of the Law on Hold

The five-year practising-Islam rule and an officer deciding title. Non-Muslims capped at four on the Council, three on a Board.

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THE INTERIM ORDER

Stayed, Limited, Left in Force

What the Supreme Court did on 15 September 2025. An interim order, not a final ruling.

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1 DEC 2025

No Blanket Extension for Registration

Justices Datta and Masih said mutawallis must ask the Waqf Tribunal. The government then waived penalties for three months.

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TWO SIDES

Arguments, Not Findings

The government says it regulates secular property management; petitioners say it intrudes on religious autonomy.

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15 OCT 2026

Petitioners Press for an Urgent Hearing

They said the status of waqf properties was changing. The Court said it would hear them, with pleas for more interim relief, on 4 November.

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3 NOV 2026

Main Hearing Listed for 21 January 2027

Justices Sundresh and Varale ordered pleadings closed by 31 December 2026 and listed the case for 21 January 2027.

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WHAT NEXT

Where the Case Stands

Pleadings close 31 December 2026, the hearing begins 21 January 2027, and the final judgment has no date.

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