Stamp pads to servers, big shift for realty
Mumbai, Jun 23, 2025
Synopsis
India's real estate sector is set for a big change. The government plans to introduce the Registration Bill, 2025. It aims to digitise property registration across India. This will make transactions faster and more transparent. Online registration will save time and reduce errors. Digital records will help prevent fraud.
India's real estate sector is poised for a major overhaul with the government's proposed Registration Bill, 2025, introduced by the Department of Land Resources under the rural development ministry, which aims to digitise and streamline property registration processes across the country.
The proposed changes are likely to boost transparency, reduce fraud and accelerate property transactions, transforming how buyers, sellers and investors engage with real estate, experts said.
Currently governed by the Registration Act of 1908, India's property registration system is largely paper-based, time-consuming and prone to irregularities. The new bill seeks to replace this framework with a modern, fully digital registration process.
The shift is expected to make property dealings more efficient and accessible, especially as urbanisation and homeownership continue to rise.
"The bill has the potential to revolutionise the property sector by creating a more transparent, efficient and user-friendly property registration system. The usual long time taken for due diligence and title clearance in both outright and partnership deals can be shortened after these changes," said Chintan Sheth, chairman and managing director, Sheth Realty.
He said that if implemented thoughtfully, the proposed law could accelerate growth, reduce disputes and promote greater trust in real estate transactions.
One of the bill's key features is the introduction of online property registration, allowing parties to complete transactions digitally without physically visiting registration offices. This will not only help save time but also reduce the scope for human error and corruption.
The mandatory registration of documents beyond sale deeds, such as agreements to sell, power of attorney and equitable mortgages, will also help clarify ownership and legal rights, thus minimising disputes.
"With the e-registration, the agreements, deeds stored digitally can be accessed instantly and reliably by courts," said Vivek K Chandy, joint managing partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors.
"This will do away with many of the logistical hurdles one faces in matters before the courts. It will also consequently result in a more efficient judicial process resulting in the faster resolution of disputes where registered documents are involved."
The bill proposes maintaining digital property records and issuing electronic registration certificates, making it easier for stakeholders to verify titles and transfer ownership securely. Aadhaar-based identity verification is another critical element designed to enhance security while enabling quick authentication.
For the real estate sector and all the stakeholders including property buyers, sellers, mortgage firms and other financial institutions, these changes could have several positive impacts. Digital records will reduce the chances of fraudulent transactions and provide a clear ownership trail, automated processes can significantly cut down delays caused by paperwork and manual verification, and a more efficient system will attract both domestic and foreign investors.
[The Economic Times]
