For decades, land records have been the primary proof of ownership and legal rights over property in India. However, with the large-scale digitisation of land records by state governments today, accessing ownership details, land maps and property information has become easier than ever, bringing greater transparency and helping curb fraudulent transactions.Initially launched as the National Land Records Modernisation Program in 2008 and renamed in 2016, the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Program (DILRMP) is the flagship program for modernising and digitising land records.Digital land records include Record of Rights (RoR), names of the landowner(s), father/husband, and address, specific plot numbers, total area, type of land (agricultural, residential, etc.), past ownerships, and information regarding any active bank loans, mortgages, or legal disputes tied to the land.The records also include a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), Bhu-Aadhar, a 14-digit identification number generated using geospatial coordinates for the plot, and digitised visual maps called Bhu-Naksha showing the exact boundaries, shape, and dimensions of a land parcel.The records can be accessed ntres (CSC). Accessing basic land information is usually free of charge, but some states may charge a nominal fee for obtaining digitally certified and signed copies or extracts of land records.Digitally certified copies are legally valid and recognised by the government.Digital land records play a significant role in reducing property fraud. They help check fraudulent transactions, identify property locations, and improve overall transparency.Bhu-Aadhar helps prevent property fraud by eliminating duplicate records and mathematically locking land to its geographic coordinates.The records help reduce disputes and promote transparency as records are open to the public, and one can view details regarding any land.The DILRMP program is still under implementation, with states continuing to digitise records, update cadastral maps, integrate registration and mutation systems, and develop an Integrated Land Information Management System (ILIMS).As of January 2026, citizens in 19 states can download digitally signed record copies, banks in 406 districts can verify 14 per cent of the country, and records of rights have been computerised for 97.27 per cent of the villages.
