The Gujarat State Waqf Board has issued a final appeal to all mutawallis (administrators), trustees, Waqf institutions, and stakeholders across the state to complete mandatory registration on the UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) Portal by 26 May 2025, warning that no further extension will be granted under the prevailing legal framework. The directive is part of a nationwide compliance drive under the UMEED digital governance framework introduced by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

What the UMEED Portal Is

Launched on 6 June 2024, the UMEED Portal serves as a single national database for recording details of Waqf properties — covering ownership, income, documentation, and administrative records. The platform was designed to replace fragmented record-keeping systems previously maintained at state and local levels, with the stated objective of improving transparency, accountability, and legal protection of Waqf assets.

According to officials, the portal functions as a unified system for verification, geo-tagging, monitoring, and digitised management of Waqf properties. The Ministry has since added modules for survey and lease management to further strengthen property documentation and administrative oversight.

Gujarat Board's Position

The Gujarat State Waqf Board has characterised the portal as more than a registration facility — describing it as a structural reform in Waqf governance aimed at ensuring long-term property protection and reducing disputes arising from incomplete or unverified records. The Board noted that consolidation of data on a single platform would enable more efficient administration and help address irregularities in property management.

Notably, officials stated that a significant number of Waqf institutions in the state have yet to complete registration despite repeated advisories — a signal that compliance has lagged well behind the portal's rollout timeline.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The Board reiterated that institutions failing to complete registration within the prescribed window may face administrative and legal complications, and would be solely responsible for any consequences arising from non-compliance. Under the framework of the UMEED Act, a fixed time window was provided for uploading existing Waqf property details, with compliance timelines set at the national level.

Trustees and administrators have been specifically urged to ensure all required documents are uploaded without delay and that incomplete applications are avoided.

Support for Registrants

To ease the process, the Gujarat State Waqf Board has activated a dedicated helpline offering technical and procedural assistance during the registration drive. The Board has urged all stakeholders to utilise the helpline to resolve queries before the 26 May 2025 deadline.

With the deadline now days away and a large share of institutions yet to register, the Board's final warning underscores the Centre's intent to enforce digital compliance across Waqf governance with no further leniency.