Karnataka's land records department is going fully digital by the end of 2026, rolling out online surveys, ULPIN identifiers and geospatial mapping statewide.
In a major step towards improving transparency, efficiency and citizen access in land administration, Karnataka's Survey, Settlement and Land Records (SSLR) wing under the revenue department has decided to fully digitise its operations by the end of 2026. Once implemented, the move will allow citizens to apply online for land surveys, generate official sketches and identify property boundaries without having to visit government offices.
Officials said the digital transformation will significantly simplify land-related services by enabling applicants to submit survey requests, track application status and download official land records online from anywhere. The department expects the new system to reduce delays, eliminate the role of middlemen and curb corruption in land survey and record management processes.
According to Venkat Raja, Commissioner of SSLR, the department is handling a very high volume of applications every month. At present, the department receives between one lakh and 1.2 lakh survey applications every month from both private citizens and government departments. Digitising this process is expected to streamline service delivery and improve turnaround time for applicants seeking land surveys, sketch approvals and boundary clarifications.
A major part of the initiative involves converting historical survey records into accessible digital formats. The department has already scanned a large number of survey-related documents, including some dating back to the British era. However, many of these legacy records are still difficult to use because they are not in a readable or searchable format. Several old akarbands, land extent records and numerical survey entries are recorded in Marathi and other languages, making them difficult to interpret and integrate into modern land systems.
To address this, the SSLR wing is now working on converting these old records into usable digital data. The process will involve extracting accurate land measurements and boundary details from original "tippanis" — critical survey documents that record field measurements, land dimensions and physical property boundaries. This data will then be linked to geospatial digital revenue maps, allowing for more accurate mapping and stronger integration of land records across departments.
The use of modern technology is central to the department's digitisation plan. Venkat Raja said the department is already deploying rover equipment to conduct digital land surveys, which will help speed up the survey process and improve the precision of boundary marking. By using digital tools in the field, officials hope to reduce disputes arising from measurement errors and outdated manual methods.
Another key component of the reform is the introduction of a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) for every property. ULPIN is intended to serve as a unique digital identity for each parcel of land, helping prevent duplication, irregular subdivisions and ownership-related disputes in the future. According to Raja, the move is part of a broader effort to bring consistency and traceability to land administration.
The commissioner also pointed to the ongoing problem of illegal subdivision of agricultural land. Karnataka already has legal restrictions that prohibit the subdivision of agricultural land into plots measuring less than five guntas. However, despite the existing law, some individuals have continued attempting further divisions through irregular proposals. Raja said officials have now been directed to strictly reject all such illegal subdivision proposals, reinforcing the state's effort to safeguard agricultural land and maintain proper land records.
Officials added that once the ULPIN-integrated mapping system is ready, the digital land maps will be shared not only within the revenue department but also with urban and rural development departments, panchayat raj institutions, the forest department and other government agencies. These integrated maps will include important environmental and planning information such as river and lake buffer zones, making it easier for authorities to identify and prevent illegal layouts, industrial projects or other developments in ecologically sensitive areas.
The digitisation of SSLR services could mark a major shift in the way land administration is handled in Karnataka. By moving survey applications, sketches, boundary verification and historical land records onto a unified digital platform, the government aims to make land services faster, more transparent and more accessible to the public.
If implemented effectively, the reform could reduce long-standing issues such as delays, disputes over land boundaries, manual errors and dependence on intermediaries. It would also strengthen inter-departmental coordination and improve monitoring of illegal land use. For landowners, buyers, farmers and developers, the digitisation of Karnataka's land survey system promises a more reliable and efficient framework for managing property records in the years ahead.
