With Only 4 Per Cent Villages Surveyed So Far, Centre To Launch Rs 3,000 Crore Push To Digitally Map Rural Land

The Union government will initiate a centrally coordinated, technology-driven nationwide survey and re-survey of land records, starting with 3 lakh sq. km. of rural agricultural land at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore.

The announcement was made by Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani while inaugurating a two-day National Workshop on Survey/Re-survey under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Pemmasani urged states to complete the integration of Aadhaar numbers with Records of Rights (RoRs), describing the reform as one that will help link land ownership with unique digital identity, eliminate impersonation, and ensure targeted delivery of benefits such as Agristack, PM-KISAN and crop insurance.

He said reforms like re-survey, digitisation, paperless offices, court case management and Aadhaar integration would create a comprehensive and transparent land governance ecosystem.

Stating that proper surveys unlock the economic potential of land when records match ground reality, he pointed out that banks can confidently extend credit, businessmen can invest with certainty, and farmers can access agricultural support.

Pemmasani said the central government is committed to completing the long-pending task of providing clear, conclusive and current land records, adding that the DILRMP was conceived to transform land governance through digitisation, integration, and technology-based modernisation.

“If we want fast highways, smart cities, safe housing, and sustainable agriculture, we must start from the ground — quite literally,” he said.

While noting that substantial progress had been made under DILRMP, he highlighted that survey and re-survey — a key component — had been completed in only 4 per cent of villages so far.

The task, he said, is a mass administrative, technological and public engagement exercise.

According to the Minister, land in India is not just a physical asset but a symbol of identity, security, and dignity.

For nearly 90 per cent of the population, land and property represent the most valuable possession.

He cited judicial data showing that over 66 per cent of civil cases in lower courts and 25 per cent of those in the Supreme Court are land- and property-related, framing it as a challenge to inclusive development.

He noted that earlier surveys were conducted between 1880 and 1915 using outdated tools such as chains and cross-staffs.

In several regions, particularly the North-Eastern states and Union Territories, original cadastral surveys were never completed.

States that have attempted surveys have found the process to be manpower-intensive, requiring ground-truthing, draft map publication, objection resolution, and final notification.

The minister observed that many states have not conducted map-based subdivisions or kept spatial records synchronised with textual updates, rendering current cadastral maps obsolete.

He said that without political will and strong coordination, surveys tend to lose momentum and remain unfinished, which is why the Government of India has now resolved to undertake a centrally coordinated exercise to bring land records into the 21st century.

Explaining the planned approach, Pemmasani said the programme would be technology-driven, leveraging aerial surveys via drones and aircraft at just 10 per cent of the cost of traditional methods.

“Many States have not carried out map-based subdivisions, or kept spatial records in sync with textual updates, making the current cadastral maps obsolete, Our experience shows that without political will and strong coordination; surveys lose momentum and remain unfinished. That is why the Government of India has resolved to take up a centrally coordinated exercise which will bring land records into the 21st century”, Chandrasekhar said.

Explaining further about the centrally sponsored programme, the minister said it would be technology driven - leveraging aerial surveys through drones and aircraft, at just 10 percent of the cost of traditional methods.

It will also use AI, GIS and high accuracy equipment and would be co-operative with the states conducting ground-truthing and validations while the Centre provides policy, funding, and technological backbone.

The programme will be implemented in five phases, starting with 3 lakh sq km of rural agricultural land, over a 2-year period with an outlay of Rs.3,000 crore for Phase I.

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