Land is a valuable economic, social, and developmental asset, supporting agriculture, housing, infrastructure, industry, urban expansion, and public services. Accurate, transparent, and accessible land records are essential for securing land tenure, facilitating transactions, reducing disputes, and improving governance. However, fragmented records, manual processes, and inconsistencies between Records of Rights (RoR), cadastral maps, registration, and mutation records have often caused delays and disputes.
The National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) was launched in 2008 to modernise land record management and enhance transparency. It was revamped as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) in 2016 and implemented as a central sector scheme with 100 per cent financial assistance from the Government of India.
DILRMP 3.0, covering the periods 2026–27 to 2030–31, has been approved with an outlay of Rs 565.50 crore and seeks to move beyond digitisation towards an integrated, interoperable, secure, and citizen-centric digital land governance ecosystem. The operational guidelines for the DILRMP 3.0 programme were formally launched on September 10, 2026.
From Digitisation to an Integrated Land Stack
Earlier phases of DILRMP established a strong digital foundation. The Operational Guidelines for DILRMP 3.0 record 99.9 per cent digitisation of RoR, 97 per cent digitisation of cadastral maps, and 99 per cent computerisation of sub-registrar offices. Integration between RoR and cadastral maps has reached 84 per cent, while integration of registration systems with land records has reached approximately 76 per cent. Around 94 per cent of revenue courts have been computerised through the Revenue Court Case Management System (RCCMS), while the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) has been adopted by 17 states.
DILRMP 3.0 shifts the focus from merely digitising records to ensuring that land-related data is integrated, interoperable, secure, and citizen-centred. The programme seeks to complete the remaining digitisation and georeferencing of cadastral maps, tippans, and field measurement books (FMBs); assign Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPINs) to all land parcels (Bhu-Aadhaar), implement online and paperless registration and RCCMS; digitise and scan legacy revenue and registration records; undertake consent-based Aadhaar integration with land records; and complete the National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) pilot project.
The central reform is the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based digital platform, viz., Land Stack. The cadastral parcel layer would form the base layer, with other spatial layers, such as master plans, land use, and building plans, along with attribute data including RoR, registration, circle rates, restrictions, integrated through interoperable Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The Land Stack is envisaged as a trusted digital public infrastructure for land governance that could enable seamless citizen services, reduce fraud, improve ease of living and ease of doing business, and facilitate integration with other digital public infrastructures.
The vision of DILRMP 3.0 is to establish a trusted, integrated, and citizen-centred digital land governance ecosystem ensuring secure land tenure, transparent land transactions, seamless access to land-related services, and informed decision-making through a unified National Land Information Infrastructure. Its mission is to integrate textual, spatial, registration, survey, court, and other land-related information systems into a standards-based Land Stack.
Bhu-Aadhaar and Georeferenced Land Records
A major component of DILRMP 3.0 is the complete digitisation, georeferencing, and assignment of Bhu-Aadhaar, or ULPIN to land parcels. The guidelines note that approximately 97.41 per cent of available cadastral maps have been digitised as on April 15, 2026. However, many cadastral maps still require georeferencing and linkage with a standardised geospatial framework, while some maps are either missing or are damaged and need to be recreated, digitised, and georeferenced.
Digitisation by itself does not provide spatial accuracy or interoperability for modern GIS-based applications. DILRMP 3.0, therefore, shifts the focus towards complete georeferencing of cadastral maps, FMBs and tippans, and the generation of ULPIN for land parcels. Bhu-Aadhaar is intended to establish a spatially accurate, uniquely identifiable, and interoperable land information system.
The guidelines identify the number of land parcels assigned Bhu-Aadhaar as a measurable indicator, with a baseline of 38.9 crore parcels. The expected outcome is a system of spatially accurate and uniquely identifiable land parcels.
Modern Record Rooms and Legacy Records
DILRMP 3.0 places considerable emphasis on the preservation and the digitisation of legacy land and registration records. Modern Record Rooms at the Tehsil level are intended to facilitate the systematic scanning, indexing, metadata creation, quality checks, digital storage, and searchable access of legacy revenue records.
The objective is not merely to convert paper records into digital files but to make historical records digitally accessible. The guidelines provide for the digitisation of important legacy revenue records and identification of the number of pages scanned and digitised as a measurable indicator.
Similarly, legacy registration documents are to be scanned, metadata created and the digitised records made available as a service to citizens. This would help create a searchable digital repository and strengthen access to historical land and property information.
Consent-based Identity Integration
DILRMP 3.0 provides for consent-based integration of Aadhaar numbers and seeding of mobile numbers and addresses in the land-record database. The measurable indicators include RoRs authenticated with Aadhaar and RoRs seeded with mobile numbers and addresses. The baseline figures, as on March 31, 2026, were 10.45 crore for Aadhaar-linked RoRs and 11.12 crore for RoRs seeded with mobile numbers and addresses.
The framework is intended to strengthen identity authentication and transaction security while facilitating citizen access to authenticated land records and services. The emphasis on consent-based integration is accompanied by provisions relating to user and data authentication and data security.
Computerised Revenue Courts
Another important component is the computerisation of revenue courts and their integration with land records. The RCCMS is intended to facilitate online filing, hearings, and disposal of cases. It is also intended to provide a more transparent and efficient system for land-dispute resolution.
The guidelines envisage better integration between judicial and land administration systems and the availability of real-time information for monitoring and policy decisions. Integration of Bhu-Aadhaar with RCCMS would enable ULPIN-based linking of revenue court cases with other land-related datasets, supporting interoperability, transparency, and efficiency in revenue court administration.
The measurable indicator under this component is the number of revenue courts computerised. The baseline recorded in the guidelines is 13,404 revenue courts.
Core GIS and Land Stack Software
DILRMP 3.0 recognises that despite substantial digitisation, many land-related datasets remain in isolated departmental systems with limited interoperability. The Core GIS and Land Stack component seeks to address this fragmentation by integrating land-related databases through GIS-based platforms and making them accessible online.
The Land Stack would integrate georeferenced land parcels, textual land records, registration records, revenue court information, and other related datasets. Bhu-Aadhaar would serve as the common identifier for the Land Stack, enabling secure API-based connectivity. State-level Land Stacks would form the building blocks of a federated National Land Stack, enabling interoperability and information exchange while retaining data ownership and control with the respective authorities.
NAKSHA and Urban Land Records
NAKSHA is an important urban component of DILRMP 3.0. The programme provides for completion of the NAKSHA Pilot Programme and the preparation of accurate and reliable urban land records.
The initiative seeks to create GIS-based urban land records by integrating spatial and textual information and facilitating the issuance of Urban Property Cards.
NAKSHA, therefore, extends the land-record modernisation framework to urban areas and supports the creation of an accurate, reliable, and digitally accessible urban land information system.
Paperless Registration and Registration Repository
DILRMP 3.0 provides for the implementation of completely online and paperless registration systems. Registration systems are to be integrated with land records and revenue courts, while legacy registered documents are to be scanned, their metadata stored, and the records offered as a service to citizens.
A Registration Repository would provide a digital framework for registered documents and related information. The guidelines provide for the development of a GIS-based registration software, integration of land records, revenue courts and banks with the Registration Repository, and a search facility for citizens.
The system is intended to improve access to registered deeds and facilitate ownership verification, transaction history, and property due diligence. The integration of registration information with other land-related systems is a significant part of the programme’s broader objective of establishing an interoperable land-information ecosystem.
Modernisation of Sub-Registrar Offices
The programme also provides for the modernisation of selected sub-registrar offices as Registration Seva Kendras. These centres are to be developed along the lines of Passport Seva Kendras and are intended to improve citizen-facing registration services.
The guidelines provide financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh per eligible sub-registrar office for modernisation. The selected offices are identified on the basis of significant transaction volume and citizen footfall, while states and union territories are responsible for ensuring operation and maintenance after modernisation. The modernised Registration Seva Kendras are also required to comply with prescribed service standards and infrastructure guidelines.
Data Quality, Interoperability, and Security
The effectiveness of a digital land-record system depends on the accuracy, completeness, and authenticity of its underlying data. DILRMP 3.0, therefore, provides for the continuous updating and maintenance of textual and spatial records. Pending mutation orders are to be incorporated into land records on a priority basis, while every layer and metadata is to be integrated with Bhu-Aadhaar as the common identifier for the Land Stack.
States and union territories are required to establish verification and validation mechanisms. The guidelines provide for 100 per cent verification by the Patwari or equivalent grassroots revenue functionary, followed by supervisory verification at prescribed levels. The objective is to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of land records and to reduce future disputes.
The programme also provides for secure data sharing, interoperability and data authentication. States and union territories may undertake necessary legislative, regulatory, and procedural reforms to support Bhu-Aadhaar, Land Stack, NGDRS, Registration Repository, NAKSHA, and other technology-enabled systems. The guidelines also provide for legal sanctity to computerised and digitally signed land records, RoRs, maps and related extracts, subject to the relevant legal and procedural framework.
Data security measures include strong password policies, multifactor authentication for extracting sensitive user-related information, and application of the principle of least privilege. The system is also intended to maintain a history of changes made to authenticated data.
Implementation, Funding, and Programme Management
DILRMP 3.0 is a central sector scheme to be implemented during 2026–27 to 2030–31 with 100 per cent funding from the central government for approved components. It comprises 11 components organised under three pillars: computerisation of land records; computerisation of registration; and evaluation studies, information, education and communication, training, and programme management.
The programme covers all states and union territories and provides technical and institutional support for implementation. The Department of Land Resources is the nodal department at the national level, while states and union territories undertake implementation through the prescribed institutional framework. The release and monitoring of funds for information, education, and communication (IEC), training and programme management will be facilitated through Public Financial Management System (PFMS), with fund releases in phases, linked to a performance-based mechanism. The DILRMP Management Information System (DILRMP-MIS) will enable real-time progress under the oversight of the project sanctioning and monitoring committee.
Evaluation studies, IEC, and training are included to build institutional capacity, promote awareness, disseminate best practices, and ensure a uniform understanding of programme objectives, standards, and implementation methodologies. Programme management units at the national and state levels would provide technical resources and support effective implementation.
Monitoring and Review
DILRMP 3.0 provides monitoring at national, state/UT, division, and district levels. The Project Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee would oversee sanctioning and monitoring at the national level, while state/UT-level, division-level, and district-level committees would review implementation at their respective levels.
The upgraded DILRMP-MIS 5.0 is proposed as a unified national monitoring, analytics, and decision-support platform. It would enable near real-time monitoring of physical and financial progress through API-based data exchange, automated reporting, and evidence-based programme management. The system would also incorporate data validation, duplicate detection, data quality checks, user authentication, and access controls.
DILRMP 3.0 further facilitates quarterly performance ranking of states and union territories based on physical progress, financial progress, timely completion of targets, and other notified performance indicators. The rankings are intended as a performance management and improvement tool, encouraging peer learning, sharing of best practices, and continuous improvement.
Conclusion
DILRMP 3.0 represents a transition from the digitisation of individual land records to an integrated and interoperable digital land governance ecosystem. Its GIS-based Land Stack, Bhu-Aadhaar, georeferenced cadastral maps, digitisation of legacy records, consent-based identity integration, computerised revenue courts, NAKSHA, paperless registration, and Registration Repository are designed to connect different dimensions of land administration.
The programme seeks to establish a trusted, integrated, and citizen-centric digital land governance framework. Its emphasis on spatial accuracy, common identification, interoperability, data quality, security, online services, capacity building, and real-time monitoring provides the foundation for more accessible, reliable, and efficient land information and services across states and union territories.
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