Current Affairs: Passage of the Week - 5 June 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The central government is set to launch the 'Umeed' portal on June 6 with the aim of promoting better management and enhanced transparency of Waqf properties across the country, sources said. The portal, which stands for 'Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development', will serve as a centralised platform for registering Waqf properties nationwide, sources added.
As per the plan, all Waqf properties must be registered on the portal within six months of its launch. Detailed descriptions, including length, width, and geotagged locations of the properties, will be mandatory. Properties registered under the names of women will not be eligible to be declared as Waqf. The primary beneficiaries of Waqf assets will include women, children, and economically weaker sections of society.
Registrations will be facilitated by respective State Waqf Boards. Properties not registered within the stipulated timeframe due to technical or other significant reasons may be granted an extension of one to two months. However, properties that remain unregistered beyond the permitted period will be considered disputed and referred to the Waqf Tribunal for resolution.
The portal is being launched against the backdrop of the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 following its passage in both Houses of Parliament after intense debate.
Several petitions challenging the Waqf Act are currently pending before the Supreme Court. The Centre has urged the court to dismiss these petitions, maintaining that the law does not violate constitutional guarantees.
On April 17, the apex court declined to order a stay on the Act after the government assured it would not implement certain provisions for the time being. During the most recent hearing on May 27, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and other parties on the matter.
[Excerpt from India Today "Waqf UMEED Portal" Dated 05/06/25]

Q1: When is the Waqf UMEED portal officially set to launch?
(a) 5 April 2025
(b) 1 May 2025
(c) 6 June 2025
(d) 31 December 2025

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The UMEED portal is officially set to launch on 6 June 2025.

Q2: What happens to Waqf properties not registered within six months of the UMEED portal launch?
(a) They are given an extension
(b) They are returned to the donors
(c) They are declared as disputed
(d) They are auctioned by the government

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Unregistered Waqf properties after the six-month deadline will be declared disputed and referred to a tribunal.

Q3: What is the main purpose of the UMEED portal?
(a) To sell Waqf properties to private companies
(b) To provide free housing
(c) To ensure transparent registration and management of Waqf properties
(d) To create new religious institutions

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The UMEED portal aims to digitise and ensure transparent registration and management of Waqf properties.

Q4: According to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, appeals against Waqf Tribunal decisions can be made in which court?
(a) Supreme Court
(b) Civil Court
(c) High Court
(d) District Court

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The Act allows appeals against Waqf Tribunal decisions to be made in High Courts within 90 days.

Q5: What is a key criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025?
(a) It provides too many benefits to beneficiaries
(b) It may marginalise certain communities
(c) It promotes religious conversions
(d) It encourages property inheritance

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: Some experts argue that the Bill may marginalise certain communities, prompting calls for more dialogue and protective measures.

​