ULPIN or Bhu-Aadhaar: India’s Digital Land Record System

India has made remarkable progress in digitizing land records over the past decade with the implementation of the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) system, also known as Bhu-Aadhaar. This system aims to provide a unique digital identification number to every plot of land in the country and link land records to this identification number. Here is an in-depth look at ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar, its workings, key benefits, and the progress made so far.

What is ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar?

ULPIN or Bhu-Aadhaar is a 14-digit unique identification number issued to each plot of land in India as part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DI-LRMP). Launched in 2008, this ambitious project aims to digitize India’s land records and provide an integrated land records management system.

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 landowners, 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

How Does ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar Work?

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

1. Geotagging: The plot is first geotagged using GPS technology to identify its precise geographic location.
2. Surveying: Land surveyors then carry out physical verification and measurement of the plot boundaries.
3. Attribute Data Collection: Details like landowner name, usage category, area, etc., are collected for the plot.
4. Data Entry: All the collected details are then entered into the land records management system.
5. ULPIN Generation: The system automatically generates a unique 14-digit ULPIN for the plot, which is linked to the digital record.

The 14-digit ULPIN contains embedded information such as:

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

Once generated, the ULPIN is stamped on the physical land record document held by the owner. The same ULPIN will remain permanently attached to the plot, even if the land is transferred, sub-divided, or undergoes any change.

Key Benefits of ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar

ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar offers several transformative benefits for land records management in India:

• Provides a unique digital identity to every plot of land
• Ensures accurate land records through ground-level mapping and measurement
• Removes ambiguity in plot identification, reducing land disputes
• Enables online access to land records through linking with Aadhaar
• Tracks entire history and ownership details of a plot using the ULPIN
• Provides government with accurate land data for policy-making
• Cuts red tape by automating land record processes like mutations
• Helps in establishing clear land ownership and property rights

Progress So Far

Under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, the implementation of ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar has seen significant progress across several states:

• Andhra Pradesh: First state to complete 100% ULPIN coverage, with over 60 million land parcels assigned ULPINs.
• Other Top Performing States: Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have achieved 60-90% ULPIN coverage.
• Integration: Five states have fully integrated Registration and Land Records through the ULPIN system.
• Coverage: Approximately 50% of the total land parcels in India have been assigned ULPINs so far.
• Online Delivery: Thirteen states have enabled online delivery of land records to citizens using ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar.
• Technological Deployment: Drone surveying and geo-tagging technologies are being deployed in some states to accelerate ULPIN coverage.

Despite rapid progress, certain states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam lag behind in ULPIN implementation due to administrative and operational challenges. The lack of digitized cadastral maps has also hampered the inter-linking of records in some states. However, the goal remains to achieve pan-India integration by 2025.

Future Potential and Applications

Going forward, integrating ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar with other applications like agriculture credit, soil health cards, and irrigation facilities could transform service delivery for farmers. ULPIN will play a key role in modernizing India’s land records system and enhancing land governance.

Challenges

Several challenges remain in the implementation of ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar:

1. Updating Land Records: Digitizing cadastral maps with accurate latitude/longitude data is complex and requires significant effort.
2. Target Accomplishment: Given the complex nature of land laws, achieving the target by March 2024 (or even March 2026) is challenging.
3. Feasibility and Sustainability: The cost of implementation, particularly considering the Department of Land Resources’ restricted financial resources, raises concerns about the project's feasibility and sustainability.

Significance

The implementation of a unified nationwide ID for land parcels is crucial for several reasons:

• Prevention of Land Fraud: The uniquely identified number will prevent land fraud, particularly in rural India, where land records are outdated and often disputed.
• Mitigating Disputes: Once digitization of land records and registration is complete, it is expected to reduce the high pendency of court cases involving land disputes.
• Record for Collateral: It will help farmers use their land as collateral to borrow money from banks.

In Context

By March 2024, India aims to digitize 100% of its land records and the land registration process, giving each plot of land a unique 14-digit alpha-numeric identity, also called Bhu-Aadhaar. The Department of Land Resources (DoLR), along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Science and Technology, and the National Remote Sensing Centre, is spearheading this effort. The Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP) integrates computerization of land records, strengthening of revenue administration, and updating of land records. The ULPIN system, based on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps, covers all land parcels, both rural and urban.

Despite these benefits, the process of updating land records to reflect accurate ownership and guaranteeing title remains challenging. However, the potential for efficiency gains and improved land governance makes ULPIN/Bhu-Aadhaar a vital initiative for India’s future.