UP Registry New Rules 2026: Cash Banned!

The Uttar Pradesh government has officially entered a new era of "Digital Registry" by banning cash payments for property registration fees exceeding ₹20,000. This landmark policy, issued by Inspector General of Registration Neha Sharma, is designed to sanitize the real estate sector by eliminating black money, reducing the influence of middlemen, and minimizing physical crowds at sub-registrar offices. By mandating online-only payments for significant transactions, the state is creating a traceable, high-integrity audit trail for every square foot of land sold in UP.

Phase 1 Deployment: 30 Key DistrictsThe mandatory digital payment rule is being rolled out in a phased manner, starting with 30 districts. These include critical NCR and industrial hubs like Bulandshahr, Hapur, and Muzaffarnagar, as well as major administrative centers like Kanpur Nagar, Aligarh, and Bareilly. The full list includes districts such as Azamgarh, Barabanki, Sultanpur, and others across Western, Central, and Eastern UP. This diverse initial rollout ensures that the system is stress-tested across different urban and rural property markets before becoming a statewide mandate.

The "Soldier First" Housing SchemeIn a significant parallel announcement, the Uttar Pradesh Awas Vikas Parishad (UPAVP) has launched an aggressive discount scheme for serving and retired personnel of the armed forces and paramilitary forces. To encourage home ownership among soldiers, the council is offering massive rebates on Ready-To-Move (RTM) flats on a "First Come, First Served" basis:

• 20% Discount: If full payment is made within 60 days of allotment.
• 15% Discount: If payment is made between 61 to 90 days.
• 10% Discount: If payment is made between 91 to 120 days.This scheme is currently active in high-growth cities like Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Agra, with a closing date of January 31, 2026.

Operational Benefits & Citizen ImpactThe shift to digital payments is expected to drastically reduce "registration day" anxiety. Commuters and investors no longer need to carry large sums of cash, reducing security risks. For the government, it streamlines the reconciliation process and ensures that revenue leaks are plugged. The move is a precursor to more advanced digital reforms, including potential doorstep registration for the elderly and differently-abled, which is currently being explored in neighboring regions.

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