Summary of this article
1 million e-Khata certificates in April.
Karnataka accelerates property digitisation drive.
B-Khata to A-Khata conversions underway.
The Karnataka government is set to distribute more than one million e-Khata certificates in Bengaluru in April as a major step in its ongoing property records digitisation drive, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made this announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This initiative aims to streamline property documentation, make ownership records transparent, and reduce bureaucratic hassles associated with traditional Khata certificates, which are essential legal documents proving land or property ownership in the city.
Under the campaign scheduled for the third Sunday of April, authorities will directly issue these certificates to property owners across Bengaluru in a special distribution drive. The move is part of the broader digitisation strategy that seeks to cover all property records in Bengaluru under the e-Khata system, reflecting the state government’s commitment to modernising land administration.
Shivakumar said that more than one million properties have already been processed under the e-Khata system, and the April event will help convert those approvals into actual certificates handed over to owners. The campaign is also intended to clear backlogs and provide a structured solution for residents to obtain these documents with minimal red tape.
The digitisation process has been underway since October 2024 when the city civic body introduced the e-Khata system, replacing the older traditional manual khata system. The electronic format allows property owners to apply for, download, and verify khata certificates online, eliminating the need for physical visits to municipal offices and accelerating transactions that depend on valid property documentation.
Officials believe the widespread issuance of e-Khata will also reduce fraudulent practices in the real estate sector. By linking property records to a centralised digital repository, the government hopes to reduce the forgery of documents and opaque transfers that were more common under the traditional system. The digital records are easier to verify and update, which helps not just individual property owners, but also banks, developers, and legal entities involved in property transactions.
Alongside certificate distribution, the government has also started the conversion of B-Khata properties to A-Khata through a verification process. B-Khata properties historically faced limitations in legality and marketability, as they are often classified as unauthorised or irregular. Converting them to A-Khata helps legitimise their status, enabling owners to sell, register, or monetise their properties without legal hurdles.
Early figures show thousands of such conversion applications are in progress, with officials conducting on-ground verifications to ensure compliance with relevant rules.
The digitisation drive has drawn praise from urban planning experts who argue that electronic property records help increase transparency, reduce corruption, and build public trust in government services. Homebuyers, real estate investors, and existing property owners stand to benefit significantly from quicker processing times and clearer documentation trails.
