India Has Over 8.72 Lakh Registered Waqf Properties: Tamil Nadu Accounts for More Than 66,000 Islam Global News | India News Desk NEW DELHI, INDIA: India has more than 8.72 lakh registered Waqf properties, highlighting the extensive network of religious, charitable and community assets administered through Waqf institutions across the country. Government data presented in Parliament reported 872,352 immovable Waqf properties as of December 9, 2024. These properties include mosques, dargahs, graveyards, educational institutions, commercial buildings, agricultural land and other assets dedicated to religious or charitable purposes. The figures demonstrate the scale of India's Waqf property network and its role in supporting Muslim religious, educational and community activities. How Many Waqf Properties Are There in India? According to government information, India has approximately 8.72 lakh registered immovable Waqf properties. Waqf refers to property permanently dedicated for purposes recognised under Islamic law, generally for religious, charitable or community welfare activities. Such assets may generate income through rents, agricultural activities and other permitted uses. The income can support mosques, educational institutions, welfare programmes and other designated charitable purposes. However, registration figures should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that every property's ownership, boundaries and legal status have been independently verified. Tamil Nadu Has More Than 66,000 Waqf Properties Tamil Nadu is among the states with a substantial number of registered Waqf properties. Government figures submitted in 2025 listed 66,092 Waqf properties in Tamil Nadu. These assets form part of the state's wider network of religious and community institutions, including mosques, dargahs, burial grounds and other properties dedicated to charitable or religious purposes. The figures also underline the importance of proper documentation, transparent administration and protection of legally recognised Waqf assets. States With Large Numbers of Waqf Properties Government data submitted before the Supreme Court in April 2025 listed the following figures for selected states and categories: State / Waqf Board| Registered properties Uttar Pradesh – Sunni Waqf Board| 217,161 West Bengal| 80,808 Punjab| 75,965 Tamil Nadu| 66,092 Karnataka| 62,830 These figures are drawn from the cited government data and should not be treated as a newly updated 2026 ranking. What Types of Properties Are Included? Waqf properties are not limited to mosques. They may include: - Mosques and Islamic prayer facilities. - Dargahs and religious institutions. - Muslim burial grounds and graveyards. - Madrasas and educational establishments. - Shops, commercial buildings and rental properties. - Agricultural land and other community assets. - Properties dedicated to charitable and public welfare purposes. The legal classification and permitted use of each property depend on its individual Waqf dedication, documentation and applicable law. What Is the UMEED Portal? The Union Government introduced the UMEED Central Portal to support the digital registration and management of Waqf properties. The portal is intended to improve record management, transparency and access to property information. A June 2026 report indicated that 543,597 properties had received final approval on the portal at that stage. This figure represents the reported portal approval status, not the total number of Waqf properties in India. Registration, document verification and approval are separate administrative stages. Why Waqf Property Management Matters Waqf properties can contribute to religious services, education, healthcare, community support and charitable activities. Effective administration requires accurate property records, transparent financial management, protection against unauthorised occupation and compliance with applicable laws. For Muslim communities, the responsible management of these assets is important because their intended benefits are connected to the religious and charitable purposes for which they were dedicated. Conclusion India's more than 8.72 lakh registered immovable Waqf properties represent a significant religious and charitable asset network. Tamil Nadu alone accounts for more than 66,000 properties in the cited government figures. As digital registration and verification continue, accurate records and transparent administration will remain important for protecting these assets and ensuring that they serve their intended religious and community purposes. Islam Global News | India News Desk Editorial note: Figures in this report refer to different official reporting dates. The December 2024 national total, April 2025 state figures and June 2026 UMEED portal progress are presented separately and should not be interpreted as one single updated dataset.