Archive · 3 Dec 2025
India Launches Naksha Programme for Urban Land Records
The Indian government has started a programme called Naksha to make better maps and records of land in cities.
Right now, many cities don't have good, up-to-date maps, which causes problems like land disputes and makes it hard to plan new buildings.
Naksha uses drones and special mapping tools to create detailed digital records of land ownership.
This will help people buy and sell property more easily, reduce fraud, and make cities better planned.
The programme is being tested in 157 cities first and will expand to more cities over the next five years.
It aims to make life easier for people, builders, and city planners by providing accurate and accessible land information.
The Naksha programme aims to modernize and digitize India's urban land records using advanced technologies like drone surveys and GIS tools.
The pilot phase covers 157 urban local bodies in 27 states and 3 Union Territories, with plans to expand to 1,000 cities and eventually all urban local bodies within five years.
Naksha will provide citizens with a digital UrPro (Urban Property Ownership Record) Card, simplifying property transactions and reducing reliance on paper records.
The programme addresses challenges such as rapid urbanization, outdated land records, and unauthorized constructions, aiming to improve urban planning and governance.
Long-term benefits include stronger local governance, increased citizen participation, economic growth, and better infrastructure planning.
- Who
- The central government of India
- What
- Launched the Naksha programme to modernize and digitize urban land records
- When
- Pilot phase started on 18 February 2024
- Where
- Urban areas across 27 states and 3 Union Territories
- Why
- To address challenges arising from rapid urbanization, outdated land records, and unauthorized constructions
- Programme Name
- Naksha (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations)
- Objective
- Modernize and digitize India's urban land records
- Technology Used
- Drone surveys, Global Navigation Satellite System mapping, Geographic Information System (GIS) tools
- Pilot Phase Coverage
- 157 urban local bodies in 27 states and 3 Union Territories
- Expected Completion Time
- 5 years
- Benefits
- Accurate land ownership records, reduced fraud, improved urban planning, faster approvals
- Long-term Impact
- Transform urban governance, foster economic growth, enhance citizen participation