India Proposes New Registration Bill 2025 to Replace 117-Year-Old Property Law

The Ministry of Rural Development has announced that its Department of Land Resources has drafted a new legislation, titled The Registration Bill, 2025, intended to replace the 117-year-old Registration Act of 1908. This modernised bill aims to establish a more secure, efficient, and citizen-friendly framework for registering property and transaction documents across India.

A Century-Old Framework Set for an Overhaul

Officials observed that the Registration Act, 1908, has long underpinned the legal system for registering documents related to immovable properties. However, they noted that the increasing importance of such documents in financial, administrative, and legal decision-making has exposed the need for a more adaptable and tech-integrated legal structure.

The ministry stated that while the existing law had served its purpose for over a century, the evolution of governance and technology necessitated a reimagined legal framework that could better align with present and future needs.

Digital Practices Already Emerging

The ministry acknowledged that several states and Union Territories had already taken the lead by introducing features like online submission of documents and digital identity verification, even under the constraints of the old act. These advances reflect the country’s readiness for a centralised and harmonised registration system built on modern technologies.

A Citizen-Centric Vision

The new Registration Bill is said to be designed to promote secure and streamlined document registration, with a clear definition of roles and responsibilities for registering officers. The ministry believes this structure will uphold the integrity and legality of the registration process nationwide.

Public Consultation Open Until June 25

As part of the pre-legislative consultative process, the draft of The Registration Bill, 2025 has been made available on the Department of Land Resources website. The government has invited feedback and suggestions from citizens, to be submitted in a prescribed format by June 25. Inputs can be sent via email to [email protected], preferably in MS Word or machine-readable PDF format.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on official statements issued by the Ministry of Rural Development and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to consult official sources for further details or updates.