West Bengal Adds 35,000 Properties to Waqf Registry in Year

More than 35,000 religious trust properties in West Bengal now have official protection after being registered on a new government portal, ending years of uncertainty for communities across the state.

The properties, managed under Islamic charitable trusts called Waqfs, jumped from 80,548 registered sites in February 2025 to 115,551 by July 2026. That's a 43% increase in just over a year.

The registrations happened through UMEED, a new digital platform launched by India's Ministry of Minority Affairs in June 2025. The portal streamlines how religious trust properties get documented and protected across the country.

"These properties remained unregistered for the past 15 years since the board did their last survey," a State Waqf Board source told The Hindu. The digital system made it easier for communities to finally get their properties on the books.

Waqf properties include mosques, graveyards, schools, hospitals, and community centers that serve millions of people. Proper registration protects these spaces from encroachment and ensures they continue serving their communities.

The West Bengal Board of Auqaf initiated registration for 133,417 properties total. Beyond the 115,551 approved, another 12,720 were rejected during verification, with the remaining still under review.

The Bright Side

This digital transformation shows how technology can solve decades-old administrative challenges. What took 15 years to accomplish through traditional methods happened in just 12 months with the right tools.

The successful registration wave means thousands of community spaces now have clear legal standing. Schools can plan expansions with confidence. Healthcare centers know their land is secure. Places of worship have documented protection.

Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed to Parliament that West Bengal met its extended statutory deadline for the registrations. The state's cooperation helped ensure communities didn't lose access to vital spaces.

The success in West Bengal could become a model for other states working to document their own trust properties. Digital systems remove barriers that kept properties in legal limbo for years.

Thousands of communities across West Bengal can now move forward knowing their shared spaces have official recognition and protection.