AA News
The central government is in the process of introducing a new law focused on property registration. A key highlight of this proposed legislation is that Aadhaar will not be mandatory for registering documents. The move aims to update and replace the current registration framework, which has been in place for over a century.
The government has released the draft of the Registration Bill, 2025, and is inviting public feedback until June 25 This initiative seeks to modernize the property registration process, making it more streamlined, digital, and citizen-friendly. Once the consultation period ends, the bill will be reviewed by the Cabinet and then introduced in Parliament for approval.
Prepared by the **Department of Land Resources** under the **Ministry of Rural Development**, the draft bill spans **43 pages**, containing **17 chapters**, **86 sections**, and one schedule. In comparison, the existing **Registration Act of 1908** has **93 sections**.
### Focus on Online and Paperless Registration
The new bill proposes significant enhancements to support digital workflows, including:
* Online submission and approval of documents
* Issuance of digital registration certificates
* Digital record-keeping
Currently, the 1908 law lacks provisions for online document submission in cases of immovable property registration.
### Clarification on Aadhaar Requirement
Section 29(3) of the draft bill states:
> “Every person presenting a document for registration under Section 28 may undergo Aadhaar-based verification through consent-based Aadhaar authentication or offline verification or official valid documents or e-documents, at registration offices that may be notified.”
This means Aadhaar authentication is optional, and no individual will be denied registration for not possessing an Aadhaar card.
Expansion of Mandatory Registration
The proposed legislation also introduces a more comprehensive list of documents that must be registered, reflecting the evolving role of documentation in public and private transactions.
An official government statement explains the rationale for the update:
> “While the current law has served as the backbone of the document registration system for over 100 years, the nature and significance of registration have evolved. Strengthening the process to keep pace with technological and societal developments is now essential.”
It adds that recent technological advancements and changing socio-economic practices have increased reliance on registered documents for legal, administrative, and financial purposes. Many states and union territories have already begun digitizing processes under the 1908 Act.
Additionally, the draft bill emphasizes the need to clearly define the responsibilities of registration officers, aiming to maintain transparency, accountability, and legal integrity in the system.
