Central Waqf Council is a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs was set up in 1964 as per the provision given in the Waqf Act, 1954 as Advisory Body to the Central Government on matters concerning the working of the Waqf Boards and the due administration of Auqaf. However, the role of the Council was expanded significantly under the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The Council has been empowered to advise the Central Government, State Governments and State Waqf Boards. It will now issue directives to the boards/ State Government to furnish information to the Council on the performance of the board particularly on their financial performance, survey, revenue records, encroachment of Waqf properties, Annual and Audit report etc under section 9 (4) of the act.

The Council consists of Chairperson, who is the Union Minister In charge of Waqf and such other members, not exceeding 20 in number, as may be appointed by the Government of India. Presently Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister of Minority Affairs is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Central Waqf Council. The 12th Council was constituted on 4th February, 2019 as per provision given in Sub Section (1) and (2) of Section 9 of the Waqf Act, 1995. Particulars and set up of the present Council, including the names addresses of Chairman and members are given in statement No.1. The office of the Central Waqf Council is at Central Waqf Bhawan, P -13 & 14,Pushp Vihar, Sector-6,Opposite Family Court, Saket , New Delhi-17.