Can Citizens in 19 States Access Digital Land Records?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Digital access to land records enhances convenience for citizens.
- Online mortgage verification expedites credit processes.
- Significant progress in land record digitization in 97.27% of villages.
- NAKSHA initiative addresses urban land management challenges.
- ULPIN serves as a unique identifier for land parcels.
New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) Residents across 19 states can now conveniently download digitally signed and legally valid land records right from their homes. Additionally, banks in 406 districts now have the capability to verify mortgages online, which profoundly accelerates access to credit, as reported by the government.
The Department of Land Resources has nearly achieved complete saturation in key aspects of land record digitization, effectively transitioning land administration from a traditional “in-line” approach to a modern “online” system.
“The computerization of the Record of Rights (RoRs) is now complete in 97.27% of villages across the nation, and 97.14% of the country’s cadastral maps are digitized. Furthermore, approximately 84.89% of villages have successfully linked their textual RoRs with spatial cadastral maps,” stated the Ministry of Rural Development.
To tackle urban land management challenges, the NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) pilot initiative has made significant strides in 157 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Aerial surveys have been accomplished in 116 ULBs, achieving 87% of set targets and covering 5,915 sq km with high-resolution imagery.
“Ground truthing commenced in 72 ULBs, with full completion achieved in 21 cities,” mentioned the Department.
Under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26', the Department has successfully recommended Rs 1,050 crore in funding to 24 states/UTs that met specific NAKSHA milestones.
Moreover, the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), a 14-digit alphanumeric code based on geo-coordinates, has been established as the “Aadhaar for Land.” As of November 2025, ULPIN has been allocated to over 36 crore land parcels across 29 states and UTs.
According to the ministry, the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) has simplified property transactions, enhancing the “Ease of Doing Business.”
This system has been adopted in 17 states/UTs, including Punjab, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh. Approximately 88.6% of Sub-Registrar Offices (SROs) are now integrated with revenue offices, allowing for automatic mutation of land records immediately after registration.