Waqf ‘UMEED’ Portal

Context: The Central Government is set to officially launch the Waqf UMEED portal. 

What Is the UMEED Portal?

• UMEED stands for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development.
• Objective: The portal aims to digitise and simplify the registration and management of Waqf properties across India.
• It will also provide legal guidance to citizens on their rights and responsibilities under the new Waqf law.
• Features of the UMEED Portal
• • Online Registration: Digitized system for registering Waqf properties.
  • Transparency & Efficiency: Ensures all formalities are completed within six months.
  • Legal Support: Helps individuals understand their rights and obligations under the new law.
  • Automatic Dispute Referral: Properties not registered within the timeframe will be declared disputed and referred to a tribunal for resolution.
  • State Waqf Boards Oversight: Responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with amended legal provisions.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and received presidential assent, marks a significant legal development in the regulation of Waqf properties in India. 

• However, following its passage and assent, it was challenged in the Supreme Court.

Yogandhra Initiative 2025

Context: Recently, the Yogandhra 2025 event was held near Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, amid the breathtaking Puligundu Twin Hills.

About Yogandhra Initiative

• It is a statewide campaign launched by the Andhra Pradesh government to promote yoga and wellness among citizens.
• Objectives of Yogandhra
  • Encourage daily yoga practice for better physical and mental health.
  • Organize large-scale yoga events at heritage and tourist sites.
  • Train yoga instructors to spread awareness at the village, mandal, and district levels.

Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Context: India reaffirmed its commitment to global disaster resilience at the opening of the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Geneva.

Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

• It is a biennial international forum. 
• Objective: To assess progress, share knowledge, and accelerate action on disaster risk reduction.
• It brings together governments, stakeholders, and UN entities to accelerate action and share best practices in disaster risk management.
• At the center of the discussions is the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. 
  • which serves as the guiding global policy on reducing disaster risks and building resilient communities.

About the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

• It’s a global strategy adopted by the United Nations to reduce disaster risks and enhance resilience worldwide. 
• It was introduced at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in March, 2015.
• It provides a comprehensive blueprint to reduce disaster risks and losses worldwide over a 15-year period.
• Four Priorities for Action
• • Understanding Disaster Risk – Improving knowledge about risks and vulnerabilities.
  • Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance – Enhancing policies and coordination for disaster management.
  • Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience – Allocating resources to prevent and mitigate disasters.
  • Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and “Build Back Better” – Strengthening recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts.

Disaster Risk Reduction

• It is a process aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contribute to strengthening resilience and therefore to the achievement of sustainable development.