EXPLAINER: Why Haryana switched to land e-registration

The Haryana Government has started a paperless land registration system from November 1 across the state. Due to holidays on November 1 and 2, the initiative was started from November 3. The officials claimed that the paperless land registration system is a visionary reform aimed at efficiency, transparency and fairness, while the early phase has faced major issues, but the officials are confident that the system will soon stabilise. Here is what you need to know about this step, its benefits and initial challenges.

 What is land e-registration and why was it started?

The paperless land registration system is a fully digital process introduced by the Haryana Government to modernise and simplify the process of land registration. Under the new model, all steps involved in land registration—such as document submission, verification, payment of fees, and issuance of registries are done entirely online, without the use of physical paper or manual files. As per the officials, this system relies on digital signatures and encrypted online verification, ensuring that property records remain secure, tamper-proof, and instantly accessible to both citizens and government officials. Applicants can now upload documents in the PDF format, pay registration fees and stamp duty through a secure e-payment gateway and receive a digitally signed property deed directly through the official portal of the Haryana Revenue Department after their physical presence in the tehsils or sub-tehsils only for photographs, for which an appointment is given to applicants.

How does the paperless registration system work?

The process is entirely online through the Haryana Revenue Department’s Deed Registration Portal. The citizens upload scanned property documents (PDF format) and fill registration forms online. The system cross-checks details with the land records database and flags any discrepancies instantly. Registration fees and stamp duty are paid digitally, generating an instant receipt. The system has a three-level verifications as applications are verified sequentially by the Registration Clerk 1 (RC-1), RC-2 and finally by the Sub-Registrar, who grants approval after biometric verification of all parties. The applicant receives a digitally signed property registration certificate, eliminating the need for physical documents.

What benefits are expected from the system?

Earlier, property buyers and sellers often faced harassment at different levels of registration offices. Complaints about unnecessary objections, missing files and deliberate delays were common. By automating the entire process, the government aims at removing middlemen, human intervention and minimise opportunities for corruption. Besides, the traditional system required multiple visits to tehsil offices, long waiting hours, and physical verification of numerous documents. This not only wasted time but also created bottlenecks in service delivery. The officials claimed that the new digital system enabled quick verification and approvals within hours instead of days. They said that manual handling of documents often led to manipulation or duplication of property records. A digital registry ensured real-time updates, making it easier to trace ownership history and detect fraudulent transactions. Since all deeds are digitally signed and verified through OTP-based authentication, the chances of tampering, forgery, or loss of physical documents are nearly eliminated.

 What are the main features of paperless land registration?

The Haryana paperless land registry system introduces several modern features designed to make property registration faster, safer, and more transparent. The system operates in a fully online and paperless mode, allowing citizens to complete the entire registration process from document submission to approval without any physical paperwork. One of its key advantages is instant or 24-hour verification, which significantly reduces waiting time and ensures efficiency. To ensure data security, the system uses encrypted digital records, digital signatures, and OTP-based verification, protecting property details from tampering or unauthorised access.

What technical glitches were found in the first week and how did they affect implementation?

After the Haryana Government launched its paperless land registration system on November 3, several technical glitches disrupted its functioning. Users reported missing property details, non-loading pages, errors in GPA-based registrations and incomplete display of party information. The system also showed unpredictable behaviour, making online registration tough. Due to these issues, the process slowed drastically with fewer than 10 registrations completed in a week in Karnal district instead of the usual 250–300 per day. Many deed writers and advocates were also unfamiliar with the new digital procedures, adding to the delays. The officials said these initial problems were being fixed and the system would soon operate smoothly.