Registration Bill 2025: Digital property registration, no middlemen to empower homebuyers

The Ministry of Rural Development last week unveiled a draft of the Registration Bill, 2025, seeking to overhaul the country’s over-a-century-old property registration system with a modern, digital-first, and citizen-centric framework.

The proposed legislation, prepared by the Department of Land Resources, is intended to replace the Registration Act of 1908.

Key features of the Bill:

The draft bill is part of the government’s push for an efficient, transparent, and paperless registration system. The legislation introduces provisions for online document registration, issuance of digital certificates, and electronic record maintenance.

It allows Aadhaar-based authentication with informed consent, while also permitting alternative verification methods for individuals not using Aadhaar.

The transition is expected to reduce paperwork, cut delays, and limit dependence on intermediaries. The proposed law also enables electronic integration with other record-keeping systems to enhance the efficiency and integrity of information flows.

The draft legislation expands the category of documents requiring compulsory registration. Agreements to sell, powers of attorney, equitable mortgages, sale certificates by competent authorities, and certain court-related instruments will now fall under mandatory registration.

Recognising the increasing legal and financial weight of registered documents, the Bill empowers registering officers with clear, legally defined grounds to refuse registration. It also allows governments to frame rules for the cancellation of registrations, subject to principles of natural justice.

The Bill proposes a revamped administrative structure, introducing posts such as Additional and Assistant Inspectors General of Registration. It also provides mechanisms to handle vacancies and authorises state governments to formulate rules in line with local governance structures.

The draft law focuses on accessibility and simplicity. By advocating for plain language, digital interfaces, and simplified workflows, the Bill aims to make registration processes more user-friendly, especially for individuals and small enterprises. It seeks to reduce procedural burdens while maintaining legal and procedural rigour.

The draft Registration Bill, 2025, is available on the Department of Land Resources website (dolr.gov.in) for public feedback. Citizens and stakeholders can submit suggestions in the prescribed format until June 25, as part of the government’s pre-legislative consultative process.