Author:- Vishesh Gupta
INTRODUCTION
The existing Registration Act,1908 in use for more than 10 decades is coming to an end by the introduction of The Draft Registration Bill, 2025.
The existing act is based on the historic method of registration in physical mode and the new bill is shifting this historic method into a new and up to date method i.e. Digital Registration.
Basic questions that came in mind when we heard about the new bill-
Is the act old enough to be replaced?
Is the shift capable enough to succeed?
Have people digitalised enough for change?
Are the authorities capable enough to succeed?
Many of these questions emerge by The Draft Registration Bill, 2025. To evaluate these questions a review for the bill in context of the challenges is required.
The Draft Registration Bill
On May27, 2025 a draft bill was published on the website of The Department of Land Resources for public feedback on the bill.
The bill is at the pre legislative stage (a stage before formal announcement of bill in legislation).
The bill drops the idea of replacing the existing Registration Act,1908 by the new bill for making it digital. It can be linked to the Digital India concept. The bill is supposed to meet the changing dynamics towards digitalisation. The bill is supposed to be more customer centric approach reducing the hassle of long que, lengthy confusing paperwork, time consumption. All the records will be maintained digitally which eventually increases the authenticity and transparency.
Expected Benefits
- Faster process
- Reduced paperwork
- Increased transparency
- More consumer centric
- More convenient
- Hassle free
- Removal of brokers or intermediaries
Expected Drawbacks
- Data security risk
- Limited digital literacy
- Limited access to internet for rural people
- Adaptation by people
- Compliance issues
Global Perspective
- United States
The US adopted digitization in early 2000s but there is no uniformity yet. Government does not guarantee clear title, the task is performed by the title insurance companies.
- United Kingdom
UK introduced the digital platform in 1990 and ensure protection of title under the HM Land Registry.
- Singapore
Singapore Land Authority was introduced as the digital step in 2001. The authority ensures clear title and is efficient enough.
Supreme Court Ruling
The recent ruling of supreme court states that registry is not enough for proving clear title on the land. This judgement created chaos among the different minds out there. The judgement brings attention to the myth of having registry is enough. There is the gap between the ownership and title over the land which is not known to everyone.
The Draft Registration Bill,2025 is expected to fill this gap by establishing clear title but it is still in doubt as it is not guaranteed by the authorities yet. It is assumed that the title issue which is addressed by the SC will not be solved by the bill unless it is guaranteed by the authorities.
Observations and Recommendations
- Incapable approach towards rural people. As per my opinion the approach is incapable to cater the rural people as they might lack digitalisation and the availability of resources. Rural people still lack confidence on digital platforms. They fear the digital warms.
- Data security issues. The concern for data security is the utmost important concern in this era where digital scams and frauds are increasing rapidly. It includes digitalisation of the important documents which is the reason for more fear.
- Unclear title. The title issue raised by SC is still not guaranteed by the bill so the tension of proving title despite having registry remains intact.
- Law Commission recommendations. The bill should include the provisions recommended by the commission for the bill.
- Proper training and resources. The availability of proper training and resources for the development of digital platform is in doubt.
- Lack of awareness. People of different mindsets have different conclusions. Proper awareness program should be conducted and awareness should be spread properly to eliminate confusion and chances of fraud, misrepresentation etc.
Conclusion
The Draft Registration Bill 2025 marks a step toward improving a system that has remained for decades. By introducing digital processes, expanding the range of registrable documents, and streamlining procedures, it aims to make property transactions more transparent, accessible, and efficient.
However, digitisation alone cannot solve all the challenges. Many people still face difficulties understanding the true legal ownership of property. A significant portion of the population lacks internet access, digital literacy, or guidance on what to do when disputes arise. It is crucial that the system is built to be inclusive, ensuring that individuals in rural areas, elderly citizens, and those unfamiliar with technology are not left behind.
To make this more meaningful, the government must use awareness drives, offline assistance centres, easy-to-follow guidelines, and strong safeguards to protect personal and land data. Most importantly, there needs to be a reliable and legally recognised method to verify property ownership—so that no one loses their rights due to procedural gaps or unclear records.
Meaningful change will come only when every person can feel confident that their home or land is not just registered but fully recognised and protected under the law. The ultimate goal should not only be faster processes, but a fair and secure ownership system for all.
