Published On:
February 11, 2026
Updated On:
February 11, 2026
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha has proposed a "National Blockchain Property Register" in the Rajya Sabha to combat India's chaotic land record system. By leveraging blockchain technology, the initiative aims to create tamper-proof, immutable property records, drastically reducing litigation and fraud while boosting the ease of doing business.
For anyone who has ever bought a piece of land in India, the process is often less of a transaction and more of an adventure—and not the good kind. The fear of "benami" transactions, double-selling of the same plot, and endless litigation is a reality that plagues the Indian real estate sector. In a significant move to address these systemic vulnerabilities, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha recently made a compelling case in Parliament for a National Blockchain Property Register.
This proposal comes at a critical time when the country is pushing for rapid digitization. But what exactly does a blockchain-based registry entail, and could it truly be the silver bullet for India's land dispute crisis?
To understand the solution, one must first appreciate the scale of the problem. During the recent Budget session, it was highlighted that land records in India are currently in a state of "utter chaos." The statistics painted a grim picture of the status quo:
The current system relies heavily on physical ledgers and disparate digital silos that are vulnerable to manipulation. "Dalals" or middlemen often exploit these gaps, leading to the tampering of records, tax evasion through undervalued circle rates, and the illegal encroachment of public and private land.
The proposed solution is to migrate from traditional record-keeping to a blockchain-based ledger. For the uninitiated, blockchain is best known as the technology behind cryptocurrencies, but its utility goes far beyond digital coins.
At its core, blockchain is a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). Unlike a standard database that is controlled by a single administrator (and can be secretly edited), a blockchain database is shared across a network of computers. Once a piece of data—such as a property sale deed—is entered into the blockchain, it becomes immutable. It cannot be deleted or altered retroactively without the consensus of the entire network, and any attempt to change it leaves a permanent digital trail.
A National Blockchain Property Register would function as a single, tamper-proof source of truth for every square inch of land in the country.
The integration of blockchain into land registry systems offers three revolutionary benefits that could overhaul the sector:
The biggest advantage is security. In the current setup, a corrupt official or a malicious actor could theoretically alter a physical file or a centralized digital entry to change ownership details. On a blockchain, every transaction is cryptographically sealed and time-stamped. If a property is sold, that transaction is added as a new "block" to the chain. The history of that property—from the very first owner to the current one—is visible and unchangeable. This would effectively eliminate the scourge of forged documents.
Currently, conducting a "title search" to verify ownership is a tedious process that can take months. Buyers often rely on lawyers to dig through decades of paperwork, and even then, there is no guarantee of accuracy. With a blockchain register, title verification could become near-instantaneous. A prospective buyer could view the entire ownership history of a plot in real-time, ensuring that the person selling the land is indeed the rightful owner.
The technology also enables the use of "Smart Contracts"—self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. For example, a property transfer could be automated so that the moment the buyer transfers the funds, the ownership rights are digitally transferred to them. This would drastically reduce the reliance on middlemen, speed up the registration process from months to minutes, and curb corruption.
The idea isn't science fiction; it is already being tested globally and locally. Countries like Sweden, Georgia, and the UAE (specifically Dubai) have already implemented or are piloting blockchain land registries with great success, showcasing reduced transaction times and higher transparency.
Closer to home, the concept aligns with the Digital India initiative. Several states have already begun dipping their toes into these waters:
However, these are isolated state-level initiatives. A National Blockchain Property Register would unify these efforts, creating a standardized framework across the country.
While the vision is promising, the road to implementation is paved with hurdles.
The call for a National Blockchain Property Register is more than just a technological upgrade; it is a plea for structural reform. By moving from "chaos to clarity," India has the potential to unlock billions in economic value that is currently trapped in disputed land.
While the transition will undoubtedly be complex and resource-intensive, the cost of doing nothing—continuing with a system where 66% of civil litigation is land-based—is far higher. As the proposal gains traction in Parliament, it offers a glimpse of a future where property rights are secure, transactions are transparent, and the Indian landowner is finally empowered.
