Centre Proposes New Law to Make Property Registration Online and Paperless
In a move set to modernise and streamline India’s property registration process, the Central government has unveiled the draft Registration Bill, 2025, aimed at replacing the outdated Registration Act of 1908. The bill, released by the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Resources, introduces sweeping changes designed to digitise and simplify how property documents are registered across the country.
The draft bill has been opened to public consultation, with the ministry inviting feedback and suggestions from citizens, legal experts, and stakeholders within 30 days. Once this consultation process concludes, the government will finalise and introduce the legislation in Parliament.
No More Queues and Tokens
One of the most significant features of the proposed law is that property registration will become fully online and paperless. This would eliminate the need for buyers, sellers, or witnesses to physically visit sub-registrar offices, thus ending the long-standing issues of queue systems, token wait times, and manual paperwork.
According to the ministry, this step is aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, improving transparency, and reducing corruption and fraud in property transactions.
Aadhaar-Based Digital Verification
To ensure the authenticity of parties and prevent the registration of fake or forged documents, the bill proposes Aadhaar-based digital identity verification. This would be mandatory for all parties involved in property registration. Documents found to contain false information can be cancelled by the authorities, which marks a significant departure from the current legal framework.
Broader Document Coverage
The new law will apply to a wider range of property-related documents, including:
- Sale deeds
- Gift deeds
- Agreements to sell
- Powers of attorney
- Lease and mortgage documents
Registration officers will be given defined responsibilities to maintain security, check document integrity, and uphold legal transparency in the digital process.
Mandatory GPS Coordinates and Photographs
A key update included in the new bill is the mandatory inclusion of GPS coordinates—specifically latitude and longitude—in all property documents. This rule will apply to all property types, including open plots, and comes into effect from June 1, 2025. Documents without precise location details will not be accepted for registration.
Additionally, from April 1, 2025, all property documents must include a full-view colour photograph of the property, with the involved parties signing on the image to confirm authenticity. This aims to prevent fraud through manipulated photos or incorrect boundary details.
To support this, camera and GPS-enabled apps will be recommended for capturing accurate visual and locational data during documentation.
What’s Next?
Once the public feedback is reviewed and incorporated, the government will finalise the Registration Bill, 2025, and table it in Parliament. If passed, this reform could dramatically transform how property transactions are recorded and verified in India—bringing the century-old registration process into the digital age.
AM.
