IIT-Delhi to conduct ground survey of waqf properties to plug 'gaps'

Due to a glaring lack of survey data on waqf properties, despite an ambitious digitisation and geo-tagging initiative being in place for several years, the government has commissioned IIT-Delhi to conduct a sample survey of properties registered with state waqf boards and to prepare a report addressing management challenges. "The ground assessment report is expected in the next two months. It will form the basis for recommending to states a template of a survey for creating a robust database of existing registered properties and new ones to be added in the future," Union Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar said, barely three weeks since the waqf law was amended.

According to data provided by states to the minority affairs ministry, there are over 8,72,000 units of registered waqf property, with more than half categorised as 'Waqf by User'. This real estate spans approximately 3.9 million acres of land nationwide.

However, officials have indicated that the data regarding the survey of registered properties shared by states on the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI) portal, which is intended to verify registration details, usage, and revenue, is significantly inadequate. This deficiency has led to a lack of a reliable record of the actual status of properties.

Waqf board's inconsistency

It has been observed that properties registered by boards are not consistently surveyed for verification, resulting in uncertainty and the potential for disputes. For example, the portal indicates that digitisation records are available for only about 330,000 properties. Officials noted that currently, it is not legally required for states to disclose this information; however, this will change under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which includes provisions for the monitoring and accountability of waqf properties.

"The exercise was assigned to IIT-Delhi in January. Once it gives its report, it will be studied to provide a base for developing a standardised format for management and survey," Kumar said.

The ministry has initiated preparations for the implementation of the Act aimed at optimising the waqf management system. In accordance with the amendments designed to improve the efficiency of boards, efforts are underway to create a new website that will succeed the WAMSI portal.