3 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 7, 2026 07:01 pm IST
In a move aimed at modernizing land records and strengthening farmers’ land rights, the Maharashtra government has launched a state-level initiative to physically measure subdivisions (pot hisse) of agricultural land and assign each parcel a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), also known as ‘Bhu-Aadhaar’.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the initiative seeks to address long-standing discrepancies between official land maps and Records of Rights (7/12 extracts), which have accumulated over decades due to the absence of physical measurements for subdivisions.
Under the program, all agricultural parcels will undergo physical measurements to update land maps and ensure they are accurately aligned with 7/12 records. Each land parcel will be assigned a ULPIN as per central government guidelines, which will serve as a single reference point for all land-related information, similar to an Aadhaar number for individuals.
The initiative also aims to create a comprehensive digital land database to enable seamless access to land details as part of the state’s digital governance drive.
According to the Revenue Department, since the first land survey carried out between 1890 and 1930, and particularly between 1992 and December 2024, around 2 crore 12 lakh 76 thousand 499 new subdivisions of land have been created through sale, purchase, inheritance, partition and other transactions. However, the lack of corresponding physical measurements has led to inconsistencies in official records, leading to disputes and complications in land transactions, crop insurance claims, bank loans and access to government schemes.
To address these issues, the Agreement Commissioner, Punewill implement a ‘Subdivision Survey Pilot Project’, starting in select areas before expanding across the state. Private survey institutions will participate in the process to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
Officials said the initiative is expected to reduce land disputes by clearly defining boundaries and areas, ensuring accurate maps matching 7 out of 12 extracts and facilitating easier access to crop insurance, institutional credit and government welfare schemes. Land transactions are also expected to be faster and more transparent.
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A high-level state committee under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) has been constituted to oversee the project. Weekly progress reviews will be conducted by district level committees headed by district collectors and taluka level committees under the leadership of sub-divisional officers.
Commenting on the initiative, Bawankule said, “Protecting farmers’ land rights and introducing transparency are top priorities. By ensuring that maps and 7/12 records match perfectly through this survey drive and the introduction of Bhu-Aadhaar, we will strengthen the rural economy and provide long-term relief from land-related disputes.”
The project aligns with national efforts to digitize land records and provide farmers with secure and verifiable ownership details.