Bhu-Aadhaar

Bhu-Aadhaar or Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), aims to digitize and uniquely identify land parcels in India.

It is an initiative of the Department of Land Records and is being implemented as part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), a 100 per cent centrally funded scheme. 

What is Bhu-Aadhaar

The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar is a 14-digit alpha-numeric unique ID generated using the longitude and latitude coordinates of the land parcel. It is based on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps. It will cover all land parcels — rural as well as urban.

The 14-digit ULPIN contains the following information embedded within it:

• State code
• District code
• Sub-district code
• Village code
• Unique plot ID number

Objective

The key objectives of ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar are:

• To assign a unique ID to each plot of land for easy identification and retrieval of records
• To create accurate digital land records with details of land owners, plot boundaries, area, usage, etc.
• To link land records and property registration processes
• To facilitate online delivery of land record services
• To assist in government planning by maintaining updated land data

Benefits

Individuals

• Provides unique digital identity to every plot of land
• Enables online access to land records through linking with Aadhaar
• Entire history and ownership details related to a plot can be tracked using the ULPIN
• Helps mitigate the huge pendency of court cases involving land disputes.

Policy makers

• Cuts red tape by automating land record processes like mutations
• Prevents GDP loss - The GDP loss to the country’s economy is about 1.3% due to projects being stalled over litigation involving land disputes
• Mitigation of land related Civil suits - A study says, 66% of all Civil suits in India are related to land or property disputes, and the average pendency of a land acquisition dispute is 20 years.
• Helps in sharing of land record data across departments, financial institutions and all stakeholders to enable effective integration and interoperability across departments.

How does ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar work?

The ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar number is assigned to a plot of land through the following steps:

• Geotagging: The plot is first geotagged using GPS technology to identify its precise geographic location.
• Surveying: Land surveyors then physically verify and measure the plot boundaries.
• Attribute data collection: Details like land owner name, usage category, area, etc., are collected for the plot.
• Data entry: All the collected details are entered into the land records management system.
• ULPIN generation: The system automatically generates a unique 14-digit ULPIN for the plot linked to the digital record.

Once the ULPIN is generated, it is stamped on the physical land record document held by the owner. The same ULPIN will be permanently attached to the plot of land. Even if the land is transferred, subdivided, or undergoes any change, the ULPIN will remain the same for that geographic boundary.

Implementation status

ULPIN has, so far, has been rolled out in 29 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Karnataka and NCT of Delhi. Further, Pilot testing of ULPIN has been done in 4 States / UTs- Puducherry, Telangana, Manipur and Andaman & Nicobar Island.

Some States /UTs like Madhya Pradesh, Ladakh and J&K are also using ULPIN in SVAMITVA. 

Source : Department of Land Records