The Union Cabinet has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, following the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report presented in Parliament on February 13, 2025. The Cabinet’s approval paves the way for the bill’s introduction during the second half of the 2025 Budget Session, scheduled to begin on March 10.

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• The Union Cabinet approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill based on the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report.
• The bill aims to streamline the registration of Waqf properties, which are donated for religious and charitable purposes by the Muslim community.
• The JPC report was tabled in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on February 13, 2025.
• Opposition MPs raised concerns about their dissent notes being redacted from the JPC report, a claim denied by the Centre.
• The amendments to the bill were approved by the Cabinet in a meeting on February 19, 2025.
• The bill suggests major reforms in the governance of Waqf boards, including the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members on state Waqf boards.
• A government official will be involved in arbitration to determine whether a property is Waqf property or not.
• The bill was initially expected to be introduced in the Winter Session of 2024 but was delayed and referred to the JPC for further examination.
• In January 2025, the JPC adopted all amendments proposed by NDA members, rejecting the suggestions made by the Opposition.
• The bill is expected to be introduced in the second half of the 2025 Budget Session, which will begin on March 10.