Modernizing Land Records for Effective Administration

After going through several land record management system, India’s administration has struggled with wide gaping loopholes, incomplete datasets, and a lack of standardized metrics for data collection.

Moreover, the huge diversity in land governance in the country often led to doubts and disputes regarding the delimitation of boundaries, transfer of rights, and associated challenges.

These challenges set forth the need for a better system that prioritizes standardization and efficiency in data collection methods. Along these lines, the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), which was approved in 2008 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, was revamped as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) with 100% Central funding from April 1, 2016, onwards.

Solution

The State Governments/UT Administrations are implementing the programme through the Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) set up under the Programme. These stakeholders have been directed to ensure that the basic computerization of digital land records and registration are completed by early 2023, and all districts have been asked to meet programme objectives by March 31, 2026.

Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) System: Conceptualised as the single authoritative source of truth for land parcel information throughout the country, the ULPIN generates a 14-digit alphanumeric ID unique to each parcel based on its geo-coordinates in compliance with the Electronic Commerce Code Management Association (ECCMA) and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards.

Matribhoomi Geoportal: This is an integrated National Geo-Portal for Governance that acts as a single repository for all cadastral maps and land parcel data and single authentic source of the cadastral base layer.

States and UTs are undertaking survey/resurvey using modern techniques – aerial photography or high-resolution satellite imagery combined with ground truthing using ETS + DGPS to ensure true ground depiction on cadastral maps and land records for the integrated land information management system.

The right platform and technology are chosen based on the terrain, location, accessibility,

Objective

To develop a modern, comprehensive, and transparent land record management system with the aim to put in place an Integrated Land Information Management System (ILIMS) which will inter alia:

1. Improve real-time information on land

2. Optimize use of land resources

3. Assist in policy & planning

4. Reduce land disputes

5. Obviate the need of physical visits to Revenue/ Registration offices etc. and survey and settlement records updated accordingly later.

For areas where cadastral maps are not available, the following options are resorted to:

 Electronic Total System (ETS) + Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

 Hybrid Aerial Photographs + ETS + DGPS

 Hybrid High resolution satellite imagery + ETS+DGPS (< 1 m spatial resolution).

Outcome

The DILRMP has led to the creation of huge spatial data, with more than 90% of cadastral maps digitized and over 32 % of cadastral maps of villages across the country geo-referenced.

This cadastral level Geospatial data will enable informed decision making, planning, analysis, agriculture, natural resources management, quick disaster response, economic development, social services delivery, public safety and emergency management, and efficient transportation, to name a few.