MP govt digitises 150 million land records under DILRMP drive
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh has launched its most ambitious land records digitisation drive yet — 150 million documents, modern scanning centres in every district, and a Patwari-verified upload chain to the Bhulekh Portal. With 27 million records already scanned in just 12 districts, the scale signals a serious push to end the opacity that fuels rural land disputes across the state.
Key Takeaways
The Madhya Pradesh government is digitising nearly 150 million old revenue documents under the DILRMP , its largest such exercise to date.
This is the third phase of the state's land modernisation programme; the first two phases digitised over 55 million records combined.
Around 27 million records have already been scanned across 12 districts in the Jabalpur and Narmadapuram divisions.
The second stage begins in July , covering 11 districts in the Bhopal and Sagar divisions.
All scanned records undergo double-blind data entry and Patwari verification before being published on the Bhulekh Portal .
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched its largest-ever land records digitisation exercise, targeting nearly 150 million old revenue documents under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). The initiative, announced on 29 June through an official statement, aims to make land records publicly accessible, strengthen transparency in revenue administration, and ensure the long-term preservation of historical documents.
Scale and Scope of the Drive
This marks the third phase of the state's land records modernisation programme — and the most ambitious yet. The first two phases together digitised more than 55 million land records; the current phase alone targets nearly three times that volume. The project involves establishing modern scanning centres across districts and deploying a Document Management System (DMS) alongside DBES software for digitisation and archival of old revenue records.
How the Process Works
Every scanned document undergoes metadata entry and DBES-based double-blind data entry before being verified online by the concerned Patwari. Only after this verification step are records uploaded to the Bhulekh Portal for public access — a safeguard designed to prevent errors and ensure data integrity.
Progress So Far
Scanning of approximately 27 million land records has already been completed across 12 districts in the Jabalpur and Narmadapuram divisions during the first stage of the current phase. Data entry and verification are now underway in these districts. The second stage is set to commence in July, covering 11 districts in the Bhopal and Sagar divisions, with guidelines already issued to district administrations.
What the Government Said
'The state government is committed to ensuring easy, swift and transparent access to government land records for citizens, as well as the secure preservation of old land records,' the official statement said. It added that digitisation 'will make the revenue system more transparent and effective' and ease online access for citizens seeking their land records.
Why This Matters
Land record disputes are among the most common sources of litigation in rural India, and opaque revenue administration has long been cited as a barrier to credit access and property rights for small farmers. A centralised, verifiable digital repository on the Bhulekh Portal could reduce fraudulent mutations and ease the process of obtaining certified copies. Notably, Madhya Pradesh is one of several states accelerating DILRMP implementation ahead of the Union government's push to link digitised land records with the national property registry framework.
Point of View
But the real test is the verification pipeline. Double-blind data entry and Patwari sign-off are the right design choices — but Patwaris have historically been a bottleneck and a point of corruption in rural revenue administration. If the verification queue backs up, the portal risks becoming a graveyard of unverified scans. The Centre's push to link state land records to a national property registry also means Madhya Pradesh's data quality will have consequences beyond its own borders. Digitisation is necessary; accuracy and tamper-proofing are what will determine whether it actually reduces disputes.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madhya Pradesh land records digitisation drive?
It is the state's largest-ever exercise to digitise old revenue documents, targeting nearly 150 million records under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). The initiative aims to make land records publicly accessible via the Bhulekh Portal and preserve historical documents digitally.
How many land records have been digitised so far in this phase?
Approximately 27 million land records have been scanned across 12 districts in the Jabalpur and Narmadapuram divisions during the first stage of the current phase. Data entry and online verification by Patwaris are now underway in these districts.
What is the Bhulekh Portal?
The Bhulekh Portal is Madhya Pradesh's official online platform where digitised and verified land records are made available for public access. Records are uploaded only after scanning, metadata entry, double-blind data entry, and Patwari verification.
When will the next stage of the digitisation drive begin?
The second stage is scheduled to begin in July 2025, covering 11 districts in the Bhopal and Sagar divisions. The state government has already issued operational guidelines to the concerned district administrations.
How does this phase compare to earlier phases of the programme?
The first two phases of Madhya Pradesh's land records modernisation programme digitised a combined total of more than 55 million records. The current third phase alone targets nearly 150 million documents, making it nearly three times larger than both previous phases combined.
